Parents Charged in Son's Fatal E-Bike Crash
California couple faces charges for allowing their 13-year-old son to ride a powerful, unregistered electric motorcycle illegally, leading to his death.
The parents of a 13-year-old boy who died in an e-bike crash are facing criminal charges for allegedly allowing their son to ride the powerful vehicle illegally. Benson Nguyen was killed on May 7 when he crashed his E-Moto into a concrete light pole in Garden Grove, California, while traveling at an estimated 43 mph.
His parents, Vu Thanh Nguyen, 56, and Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen, 49, of Santa Ana, have been charged with child endangerment. Prosecutors stated that the parents failed to prevent their son from riding the unregistered, motorcycle-classified E-Moto, which requires a driver's license and DMV registration.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized the accountability of the parents in a statement. "When parents refuse to hold their children accountable and that refusal to parent results in unspeakable tragedy, then I have no choice but to hold parents accountable," Spitzer said.
Authorities reported that prior to the fatal crash, Benson Nguyen had been observed running red lights, speeding, and performing wheelies on the high-powered bike. Six months before the fatal incident, the teen had suffered a broken leg in a separate accident, yet his father had subsequently purchased him an even more powerful e-bike.
If convicted on all counts, the father faces a potential sentence of up to six years in California state prison, while the mother could be sentenced to up to one year in county jail.
The incident highlights a growing concern over deaths and injuries related to electric bikes and similar vehicles, particularly among young riders. According to the district attorney's office, over 125 deaths in the United States have been attributed to e-bikes and e-motos. In Orange County, injuries from these devices have become the leading cause of emergency room visits for children, with Southern California seeing a more than 430% increase in such injuries over the past four years. A GoFundMe campaign established in memory of Benson Nguyen has raised over $7,100 towards its $7,500 goal.