An Aliso Viejo woman whose teenage son is suspected of critically injuring an elderly man in an e-motorcycle collision bailed out of jail Wednesday on child abuse and other charges for allegedly letting her son ride the vehicle despite warnings from law enforcement.
Tommi Jo Mejer, who will turn 51 on Friday, was arrested Tuesday at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange, where she was charged with child abuse and endangerment and being an accessory after the fact with knowledge of a crime, both felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a motor vehicle, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and unlawfully providing false information to a police officer.
Mejer posted $100,000 bail and was released Wednesday, according to jail records.
Her 14-year-old son was riding an e-motorcycle that crashed into an 81-year-old man at about 4 p.m. Thursday near Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The victim, who is a substitute teacher and Vietnam veteran, remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors alleged the teen who struck the pedestrian was doing wheelies with the Surron e-motorcycle before the collision and then fled the scene.
Prosecutors have charged three parents since January for letting their kids illegally ride e-motorcycles, which are faster because they have more powerful engines than e-bikes. Riders must be 16 and obtain a license to use a Class 3 e-motorcycle.
Mejer complained to Orange County sheriff’s deputies in June of last year about someone posting pictures of her son when he was 13 riding an e-motorcycle, prosecutors said. Mejer acknowledged she bought the e-motorcycle for her son and was using it recklessly, prompting warnings from the deputies that she could face charges herself if she continued to let him ride the vehicle, prosecutors alleged.
Prosecutors say the 2025 Surron Ultra Bee, which the teen was riding, requires a motorcycle license, insurance, license plate and registration to use on a public street and without it the vehicle can only be used on private property or off-highway vehicle areas.
The Ultra Bee can reach speeds up to 58 mph and go from zero to 31 mph in 2.3 seconds, prosecutors said.
When sheriff’s deputies investigating the crash that injured the 81-year-old teacher questioned Mejer, she allegedly said her family didn’t own an e-motorcycle or have access to one, prosecutors said.
The difference between an e-bike and e-motorcycle is that an e-bike has pedals and cannot exceed 20 mph, prosecutors said.