81-Year-Old Teacher Dies After Teen on Illegal E-Motorcycle Strikes Him in Lake Forest Hit-and-Run

Key facts

• Ed Ashman, 81, died after being struck by a 14-year-old on a Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle on April 16.
• The collision occurred near El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California.
• The e-motorcycle can reach 58 mph and was operated without license, registration, or insurance.
• Tommi Jo Mejer, the teen's mother, faces felony involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, and accessory charges.
• Deputies warned Mejer in June 2025 that the vehicle was illegal for her son to ride.
• Mejer initially lied to investigators about owning the e-motorcycle.
• District Attorney Todd Spitzer has vowed to hold parents strictly accountable.

A Beloved Educator's Final Walk

Ed Ashman, an 81-year-old retired Marine Corps captain and substitute teacher, died from injuries sustained when a 14-year-old boy on an illegal electric motorcycle struck him and fled the scene. The hit-and-run occurred on April 16 near the intersection of Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, just steps from El Toro High School, where Ashman had long served as a substitute teacher. Ashman was crossing the street when the teenager, performing wheelies on a Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle, hit him and sped away. The vehicle, which authorities say can reach speeds of 58 miles per hour, was being operated without the required license, registration, or insurance. Police arrested the teen shortly after the incident, but Ashman succumbed to his injuries weeks later.

Mother Charged After Ignoring Warnings

Tommi Jo Mejer, the boy's mother, was initially arrested and charged with felony child endangerment and accessory after the fact. Following Ashman's death, prosecutors filed an amended complaint on Friday, adding felony counts of involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, and accessory after the fact, along with misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer. She also faces an infraction for permitting an unlicensed minor under 18 to drive a motor vehicle. Prosecutors revealed that deputies had warned Mejer in June 2025 that the e-motorcycle was illegal for her son to ride. Despite that warning, she allowed the teen to continue operating the high-powered vehicle. Investigators say Mejer initially lied about owning the Surron Ultra Bee, further complicating the case.

A Community Mourns a Veteran and Teacher

Ed Ashman was a Vietnam veteran and a familiar face at El Toro High School, where he worked as a substitute teacher. Colleagues and students remembered him as a dedicated educator who brought discipline and warmth to the classroom. The Lake Forest community has rallied around his family, holding vigils and fundraisers to support them. Ashman's death has reignited debates about the safety of electric motorcycles and the accountability of parents whose children operate illegal vehicles. District Attorney Todd Spitzer has vowed to hold parents strictly accountable, signaling a tougher stance on such cases.

The Surron Ultra Bee: A Powerful Machine in Young Hands

The Surron Ultra Bee is a high-performance electric motorcycle capable of speeds up to 58 mph, far exceeding the limits for vehicles that minors can legally operate. In California, operating such a vehicle on public roads requires a valid driver's license, registration, and insurance—none of which the 14-year-old possessed. Authorities have not yet specified whether the teen's charges will be upgraded following Ashman's death. The case highlights the growing concern over illegal e-motorcycles and the risks they pose when placed in the hands of unsupervised minors.

Legal Ramifications and Parental Accountability

The amended charges against Tommi Jo Mejer mark a significant escalation in legal accountability for parents. In addition to involuntary manslaughter, she faces child endangerment charges for allowing her son to ride an illegal vehicle despite explicit warnings from law enforcement. The accessory charge stems from her alleged attempts to conceal her ownership of the e-motorcycle. Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how prosecutors handle incidents involving illegal vehicles and parental negligence. District Attorney Spitzer's vow to hold parents strictly accountable suggests a broader crackdown on such behavior.

What Comes Next

Tommi Jo Mejer is scheduled to appear in court later this month to face the upgraded charges. The 14-year-old remains in juvenile custody, and authorities are reviewing whether to file additional charges against him. Meanwhile, the Ashman family continues to grieve, and the El Toro High School community plans to establish a memorial scholarship in his honor. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences when parents fail to supervise their children's use of powerful, illegal vehicles. As the legal process unfolds, it may reshape how communities and courts address the intersection of youth, technology, and accountability.

The bottom line

• Ed Ashman, an 81-year-old retired Marine and substitute teacher, died after being struck by a 14-year-old on an illegal e-motorcycle.
• The teen's mother, Tommi Jo Mejer, faces felony involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges after ignoring police warnings.
• The Surron Ultra Bee e-motorcycle can reach 58 mph and was unlicensed, unregistered, and uninsured.
• Mejer initially lied to investigators about owning the vehicle, leading to additional charges.
• District Attorney Todd Spitzer has pledged to hold parents strictly accountable in such cases.
• The incident has sparked community grief and a broader conversation about parental responsibility and illegal e-motorcycles.