Orange County parents charged after teen dies in e-motorcycle crash

The parents of a 13-year-old boy killed in an electric motorcycle accident in Garden Grove, California, have been charged with child endangerment. Prosecutors announced that Vu Thanh Nguyen, 56, faces a felony count of child endangerment and a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His wife, Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen, 49, faces a misdemeanor count of child abuse and endangerment.

The victim, Benson Nguyen, died in May after crashing his E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 into a light pole while traveling at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour. Authorities noted the vehicle was not street-legal and functioned more like a dirt bike than a standard e-bike.

Prosecutors allege that Vu Thanh Nguyen purchased the powerful e-motorcycle despite receiving multiple warnings regarding his son’s reckless riding behavior. The boy had previously suffered a broken leg in a separate riding accident six months prior to the fatal crash. Social media posts on TikTok and Instagram reportedly showed the teen performing various stunts. The parents are scheduled for arraignment on November 12.