California Parents Face Child Endangerment Charges Over E-Moto Incidents

Multiple California parents have been charged with child endangerment in connection with incidents involving their children riding electric motorcycles, known as e-motos, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

The charges follow several accidents, including one where an 11-year-old sustained a broken collarbone and an arterial bleed, and another incident resulting in the death of a 13-year-old.

E-motos are defined as two-wheeled, off-highway motorcycles powered by an electric motor with no pedals. This distinguishes them from electric bicycles, which have pedals and an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The district attorney's office has charged 12 parents since January as part of an effort to regulate the use of e-bikes and e-motos by young people.

Among those recently charged is Alex Li, facing a misdemeanor count of child endangerment. Prosecutors allege Li's 11-year-old son collided with a pickup truck while riding an e-moto capable of exceeding 33 miles per hour in Yorba Linda. The child suffered broken bones and an arterial bleed.

Maria Roehling was charged with a felony count of child endangerment and an infraction for allowing an unlicensed minor to drive a motor vehicle. Her 9-year-old son was reportedly speeding on an e-moto capable of over 47 miles per hour when he was struck by a pickup truck in Yorba Linda.

Dan Rezmives faces misdemeanor charges for child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, along with an infraction for allowing an unlicensed minor to drive. A police officer reportedly observed his son riding an e-moto on a city street, while Rezmives was on a bicycle. The father and son had previously been warned about the illegality of riding on city streets.

Hulin Guo and Xiaomin Wang were each charged with misdemeanor counts of child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, plus an infraction for unlicensed operation. Their 17-year-old son allegedly led Newport Beach police on a pursuit on an e-moto earlier this year, reaching speeds over 40 miles per hour. The son had prior run-ins with police on e-motos, and the parents had been warned about the associated dangers.

Tuan Nguyen was charged with misdemeanor child endangerment after his 13-year-old son allegedly led police on a pursuit at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. The pursuit concluded when the teenager crashed his e-moto, capable of up to 49 miles per hour, into a police vehicle while attempting to evade capture.

Additionally, Jose De Jesus Ramirezbarragan was charged with misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly allowing his 15-year-old brother to ride an e-motorcycle. The brother reportedly initiated a police pursuit at 40 miles per hour, disregarding red lights and nearly colliding with multiple vehicles before losing control and crashing into bushes.

"We don't want to have to prosecute parents -- we want to save kids' lives," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated. "When parents refuse to parent and tell their kids 'no' when it comes to riding something that is dangerous and illegal, then I have no choice but to hold parents accountable and file criminal charges."

In April, the District Attorney's Office announced the arrest and charging of a mother with child endangerment and accessory after the fact after her 14-year-old child allegedly struck an 81-year-old veteran while riding an e-motorcycle.

According to the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System, children aged 11 to 14 account for 61.7% of e-moto crashes, despite the prohibition of e-moto riding for individuals under 16.