OC mom charged with manslaughter after son allegedly killed veteran

An Orange County mom is now facing a manslaughter charge after her teenage son allegedly struck and killed an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran while illegally riding an electric motorcycle.

Prosecutors upgraded the case from multiple misdemeanor charges and two felony charges against 50-year-old Tommi Jo Mejer of Aliso Viejo following the death of Ed Ashman, a substitute teacher who was critically injured in the crash last month and died Friday, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Ashman — a retired US Marine Corps captain who flew combat missions in Vietman — was hit April 16 while walking home from El Toro High School in Lake Forest, where he worked, officials said.

Investigators say Mejer’s 14-year-old son was riding a Surron Ultra Bee electric motorcycle in the street and “doing wheelies” when he slammed into Ashman, leaving him with catastrophic injuries.

The teen allegedly fled the scene.

Mejer had previously been charged with felony counts of child endangerment, and accessory after the fact to a crime. She was also charged with one misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, loaning a motor vehicle to an unlicensed driver, and providing false information to a peace officer.

She now faces an additional felony count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Ashman’s death.

If convicted of all counts, she faces up to seven years and eight months in state prison, according to the DA’s office.

Authorities say the crash was preventable and that Mejer had been explicitly warned about her son’s dangerous driving behavior before Ashman was hit and ultimately killed.

Months before the incident, Mejer contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to complain about a neighbor posting photos of her son riding the e-motorcycle, according to prosecutors. During a roughly 30-minute interaction captured on body camera, deputies told her the vehicle was illegal for her son to operate and warned she could face criminal charges if she allowed it to continue.

Investigators say she acknowledged both the risks and illegality.

Despite that, prosecutors allege the teen continued riding the high-powered bike — which can reach speeds of nearly 60 mph and is classified as a motorcycle under California law — without a license, registration or insurance.

After the crash, Mejer allegedly told deputies that neither she nor her son owned or had access to the motorcycles, authorities said.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said the case is meant to send a message to parents.

“Parents who buy their child an E-motorcycle and let them ride them illegally … are handing their children a loaded weapon — and those parents are going to be prosecuted,” Spitzer said in a statement Friday.

He added said that “this is a tragedy for the family of Ed Ashman and for everyone who loved a man who committed himself to his country and his community.”

Ashman died Friday, prompting the upgraded charge.

Mejer was arrested April 21 by the OC Sheriff and is scheduled to be arraigned May 21 at Harbor Justice Court in Newport Beach.

The case marks at least the third time this year that an Orange County parent has been charged for allowing a child to illegally operate an e-motorcycle, according ABC7.

A GoFundMe set up to support Ashman and his family has raised nearly $105,000 as of Friday.

In an update posted after his death, organizers thanked donors and said the outpouring of support would help cover funeral expenses and ease the financial burden on his loved ones.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Ed Ashman’s passing,” the update read. “Your generosity is going to be a massive help in ensuring Ed is honored properly and that his final expenses are taken care of.”

The fundraiser described Ashman as a Vietnam veteran, devoted family man and beloved substitute teacher at El Toro High School who spent his retirement mentoring students in the community.

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