Orange County parents Vu Thanh Nguyen and Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen are facing child endangerment charges following the death of their 13-year-old son, Benson Nguyen, in an e-motorcycle crash last May. The incident, which occurred a year ago, has led to legal action from the Orange County District Attorney's office.
According to the District Attorney's office, Benson Nguyen was driving at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour when his e-motorcycle collided with a center divider. The collision reportedly ejected the teen from the vehicle, and he died after striking a concrete light pole.
This week, authorities charged Benson's father, Vu Thanh Nguyen, with one felony count of child endangerment and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. If convicted, Mr. Nguyen could face up to six years in state prison. The boy’s mother, Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of child endangerment, which carries a potential sentence of up to one year in county jail. Lawyers representing both parents could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the charges.
The arraignment for the parents is scheduled for November 12.
The e-motorcycle Benson was riding is classified as a motor vehicle, which legally requires a driver’s license to operate. This contrasts with e-bikes, which are categorized into three tiers based on their motor power, maximum speed, and whether they have pedals, and often have different licensing or age requirements.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer addressed the case in a statement released on Tuesday. Spitzer acknowledged the profound loss of a child but emphasized that “grief does not erase the decisions that were made by Benson’s parents to continue to allow their untrained and unlicensed 13-year-old to illegally ride an E-Moto after repeated warnings and repeated injuries and grief does not erase the need for accountability.” The District Attorney's comments underscore the seriousness with which local officials view parental responsibility in incidents involving minors and dangerous vehicles.
The tragic event highlights ongoing discussions in Orange County about the safety of e-bikes and e-motorcycles, particularly among younger riders. While these vehicles offer a degree of independence for teens, their increasing presence on local roads also raises questions regarding their inherent dangers and the appropriate regulations for their use.
