81-Year-Old Veteran Passes Away After Accident Involving Teen on E-Motorcycle
Orange County Community Mourns Loss of Veteran Following E-Motorcycle Incident
LAKE FOREST, Calif. – The community of Lake Forest is mourning the death of Ed Ashman, an 81-year-old former Marine Corps captain and substitute teacher, who succumbed to injuries sustained from a collision with a teenager riding an illegal electric motorcycle. The incident occurred last month and has raised serious concerns regarding safety regulations surrounding such vehicles.
On April 16, Ashman was struck while crossing the street near the intersection of Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, close to El Toro High School, where he worked. According to police reports, a 14-year-old operating a Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle was reportedly performing wheelies when he hit Ashman and fled the scene.
The motorcycle, capable of reaching speeds of 58 mph, was being used without the necessary license, registration, or insurance. In connection with the incident, Tommi Jo Mejer, the boy’s mother, has been charged with felony child endangerment and as an accessory after the fact. Law enforcement officials noted she had previously been warned multiple times that the motorcycle was illegal for her son to operate, yet allegedly allowed its continued use.
Officials have not determined if the teenager’s charges will be elevated following Ashman’s death, although Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized the responsibility of parents in such situations, referring to modified vehicles like this as “loaded weapons.”
In a statement from Ashman’s family shared through a GoFundMe page, they expressed their grief: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Ed Ashman’s passing… your generosity is going to be a massive help in ensuring Ed is honored properly.”
District Attorney Spitzer has publicly stated that this incident underscores a troubling trend. “This 81-year-old man survived flying combat missions in Vietnam… and now he is clinging to life because a mother refused to parent her child,” he said, highlighting his commitment to prosecuting parents who permit illegal vehicle operation.
This case is among several recent prosecutions in Orange County relating to illegal motorcycle usage, following similar incidents in Yorba Linda and Huntington Beach. In response to safety concerns, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District has announced a ban on e-bikes and other motorized vehicles for students in grades TK-8, effective for the 2026-27 school year. High school students will still be allowed to bring e-bikes, provided they complete safety training.
Tommi Jo Mejer is scheduled to appear in court in October. If convicted on all charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer, she could face a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison.
As the investigation continues, the community remains vigilant, with authorities encouraging anyone with information about illegal e-motorcycle activities to come forward.
