A mother from Orange County is speaking out after her teenage son was involved in an incident that led to the death of an 81-year-old military veteran while he was illegally riding an electric motorcycle.
After her court appearance on Tuesday, Tomi Jo Major, 50, expressed through her attorneys, Lolita Kirk and Paul S. Meyer, her deep sorrow regarding what transpired in Lake Forest back in April.
“Tomi Major has gone through a horrific accident,” the attorneys shared in a statement. “She offers her heartfelt condolences for this tragedy.”
“This is devastating for everyone involved. It’s really too soon to make any further comments,” they said.
Major did not contest the charges of allowing her son to ride the electric motorcycle that resulted in the fatal injury of Ed Ashman.
Authorities contended that the incident could have been avoided, revealing that Major had received warnings about her son’s reckless driving prior to the unfortunate event.
“This mother effectively gave her 14-year-old son a dangerous machine and, despite having been warned about the risks, allowed him to ride the motorcycle until he ultimately caused someone’s death,” stated Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
Major faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and child endangerment, along with misdemeanor counts related to contributing to a minor’s delinquency and lending a vehicle to an unlicensed driver.
Prosecutors noted that Ashman was crossing the street on April 16, returning from her job as a substitute teacher, when she was struck by the teenager riding the electric bike, which was performing a “wheelie.” Reports indicate the boy fled the scene.
Ashman, who was later identified as a retired U.S. Marine Corps captain who served in Vietnam, was seriously injured and died shortly thereafter.
Body camera footage revealed Major repeatedly told sheriff’s deputies that neither she nor her son owned the motorcycle and had no right to be using it.
She was arrested on April 21.
In the months leading up to the accident, Major had previously contacted law enforcement regarding a neighbor who shared a photo of her son riding the electric motorcycle.
Officers recorded a 30-minute conversation with her where they informed her that allowing her son to ride it was illegal and warned her about possible criminal charges if she didn’t comply. Major acknowledged both the hazards and the legal issues.
According to the District Attorney, the electric bike, categorized as an off-road vehicle, can reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour and accelerate from 0 to 31 miles per hour in just over two seconds. Under California law, it qualifies as a motorcycle, meaning the rider must be at least 16 years old and possess proper licensing, registration, and insurance.
“If parents aren’t willing to take responsibility for their children, then I will hold them accountable for allowing illegal vehicles on the road that result in tragedies,” emphasized the prosecutor.
This marks at least the third instance this year in which parents in Orange County have been charged for permitting their children to operate electric motorcycles unlawfully.
Major’s arraignment is set to continue into June, and if found guilty, she could face a prison sentence of up to seven years and eight months.
