Authorities in Orange County have charged the parents of a 13-year-old boy who died in an electric motorcycle crash this spring. The incident occurred in Garden Grove after the boy, identified as Benson Nguyen, struck a pole while reportedly traveling at over 40 miles per hour, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.

Santa Ana residents Vu Thanh Nguyen, 56, and Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen, 49, face charges related to the death of their son. V.T. Nguyen was charged with one felony count of child endangerment and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His wife, H.C.T. Nguyen, was charged with one misdemeanor count of child endangerment. V.T. Nguyen could face up to six years in state prison, while H.C.T. Nguyen faces a potential county jail sentence of up to one year. The couple is scheduled for arraignment on November 12. It is currently unclear if they have legal representation.

The District Attorney’s office highlighted that Benson had a history of injuries related to electric motorcycle use, including a broken leg suffered six months before the fatal crash. Despite these prior incidents and repeated warnings about Benson’s riding, his parents reportedly allowed him to continue using e-motorcycles. Prosecutors allege the Nguyens purchased Benson an even faster and more powerful E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 E-Moto after earlier accidents.

At the time of the crash, a monitoring application showed that Benson was traveling at 43 mph when he lost control and hit a median near a curve on Magnolia Street and Larson Avenue. Under California law, operating an e-motorcycle on public roads requires a valid motorcycle license, registration, insurance, and the use of appropriate safety gear. However, Benson did not hold a motorcycle license, and e-motorcycle use by unlicensed minors on public streets is illegal.

District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized the need for parental accountability in such tragedies. “The loss of a child is a price no parent should pay, and we mourn the tragic loss of Benson,” Spitzer stated. “But grief does not erase the decisions that were made by Benson’s parents to continue to allow their untrained and unlicensed 13-year-old to illegally ride an E-Moto after repeated warnings and repeated injuries.” Spitzer cited the father’s failure to take sufficient action to protect his son as a central reason for pursuing charges.

This case reflects growing concerns in the region about injuries linked to electric bicycles and e-motorcycles. According to the District Attorney's office, injuries from these vehicles have surged more than 430% in Southern California over the past four years and are now the leading cause of emergency room visits among children in Orange County. Similar incidents, including two recent deaths in Huntington Beach involving electric vehicles, underline the risks posed by unlicensed riders and the challenges of regulating this growing mode of transportation.

Previously, in April, an Aliso Viejo mother faced felony child endangerment charges after her 14-year-old son was involved in an e-motorcycle crash that critically injured an elderly pedestrian. Such cases underscore the increasing scrutiny on parents’ roles in supervising minors operating motorized vehicles that require licenses and safety compliance.

Benson Nguyen’s social media activity revealed videos of him performing stunts on an e-motorcycle in public areas, suggesting ongoing risky behavior despite the dangers. The investigation and subsequent charges illustrate the legal responsibilities that parents may face when their children operate motorized vehicles unsafely and without appropriate licenses or training.