California Parents Charged After Son, 13, Dies in High-Speed Electric Motorcycle Crash

The parents of a 13-year-old boy who died in a high-speed electric motorcycle crash are facing criminal charges, with prosecutors accusing them of allowing their son to operate a machine he was too young to legally ride.

Benson Nguyen, of Santa Ana, California, died in May after crashing an E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 electric motorcycle in Garden Grove. The motorcycle, which costs over $4,000 and can reach speeds of 55 mph, is classified as a motorcycle under California law, according to prosecutors. This classification requires riders to be at least 16 years old and hold a valid motorcycle license.

His father, Vu Thanh Nguyen, 56, has been charged with felony child endangerment and a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His mother, Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen, 49, faces a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment. If convicted on all counts, Benson’s father faces up to six years in state prison.

Prosecutors allege that Benson had regularly posted videos of himself riding the electric motorcycle on social media, including footage of him performing wheelies. The district attorney’s office also claims his parents allowed him to continue riding despite repeated warnings and previous injuries.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, who has made cracking down on dangerous electric bike and motorcycle use a priority, announced the charges. He stated that grief does not erase the decisions allegedly made by Benson’s parents or remove the need for accountability.

"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 said. He reiterated that accountability remains necessary.

The case is part of Spitzer’s campaign to hold parents criminally responsible for allegedly allowing underage children to ride powerful electric vehicles illegally. In March, another Orange County father was charged after his 12-year-old son suffered a fractured skull in a crash involving an electric motorcycle reportedly traveling at 60 mph. In May, Spitzer’s office launched its RIDE SAFELY task force to target dangerous e-bike and e-motorcycle incidents and investigate parents suspected of knowingly enabling unlawful or unsafe riding.

This crackdown comes amid growing concerns over the popularity of powerful electric two-wheelers among children and teenagers. Some models resemble bicycles but can reach motorcycle-like speeds, prompting questions for parents about the safety and legality of what their children are riding.

Earlier this month, researchers at the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles reported a 675% increase in injuries among children and young adults involving e-bikes, electric motorcycles, and e-scooters over five years. These findings contribute to mounting concerns about young, inexperienced riders operating machines capable of high speeds, leaving little room for error.

The criminal case against Benson’s parents follows their tragic loss and is part of a broader effort by prosecutors to prevent similar tragedies.