Five parents in Orange County have been charged with child endangerment for allowing their children to ride electric motorcycles illegally on public streets, authorities announced Wednesday.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer detailed several cases in which young riders suffered serious injuries or engaged in dangerous behavior while operating powerful e-motorcycles on city roads. The charges follow a recent fatal crash involving a 13-year-old boy, Benson Nguyen, who died in May after losing control of his e-motorcycle and striking a light pole in Garden Grove.
One of the parents charged is Alex Li of Yorba Linda. Prosecutors say Li permitted his 11-year-old son to ride an electric motorcycle equipped with a 1,200-watt motor, exceeding the 750-watt limit for e-bicycles. The boy was seriously injured in a June collision with a pickup truck, breaking bones and suffering an aortic bleed. Li faces a misdemeanor child endangerment charge carrying up to one year in county jail.
Another case involves Maria Dolores Roehling, whose 9-year-old son was hit by a pickup truck while speeding on an e-motorcycle capable of exceeding 47 mph. Prosecutors cited social media evidence showing the child performing wheelies and post-crash comments. Roehling was charged with one felony count of child endangerment and an infraction for allowing a minor to drive without a license. If convicted, she could face up to six years in state prison.
The adult brother of a 15-year-old who led police on a high-speed pursuit in La Palma also faces charges. The teen allegedly refused commands to stop, drove at speeds up to 40 mph while running red lights and nearly caused collisions before losing control. The family members of this teenager, Hulin Guo and Xianomin Wang, were each charged with two misdemeanors and an infraction for permitting the child to drive unlawfully, despite multiple warnings from law enforcement following prior reckless incidents.
Dan Rezmives was charged as well after police observed his 12-year-old son riding a Surron Light Bee e-motorcycle on public streets, despite prior warnings about the illegality of such use. Rezmives faces misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, plus an infraction for allowing unlicensed driving.
District Attorney Spitzer emphasized that while enforcement action against parents is not his preference, the surge in injuries and fatalities linked to e-motorcycles necessitates accountability. “Kids are getting seriously injured and killed,” Spitzer said. “If you’re going to hand the keys to a deadly weapon to your child, then be prepared to face the consequences.”
The D.A.’s office reported a sharp rise in e-bike and e-motorcycle injuries among children in Orange County, labeling it the leading cause of pediatric emergency room visits. Injuries related to these vehicles have increased more than 430% in Southern California over the past four years.
Unlike e-bicycles, which can be operated by minors on sidewalks or trails, e-motorcycles require a valid motorcycle license, registration, insurance, and full protective equipment for use on public roads. They may be driven without a license only on private property or designated off-road areas.
The cases underscore ongoing safety concerns surrounding the use of high-powered electric motorcycles by minors on public streets and the challenges law enforcement faces when parents fail to intervene.