Orange County parents of 13-year-old Benson Nguyen face criminal charges after he died in a May 7, 2026, e-moto crash, showing that authorities are changing how they hold adults accountable for minors’ unsafe vehicle use.
The parents of Benson Nguyen, a 13-year-old from Santa Ana, were charged with child endangerment after he died in a high-speed e-moto crash in Garden Grove on May 7, 2026. Prosecutors allege the boy’s father purchased a faster, more powerful e-moto for him despite a prior injury, while the mother allowed him to ride it illegally, according to Yahoo and New Santa Ana.
Crash and Legal Aftermath
Benson was traveling at 43 mph on his E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 e-moto when he lost control, hit a concrete light pole, and died at UCI Medical Center. The vehicle, classified as a motorcycle under California law, has a top speed of 62 mph and requires a license, registration, and insurance, per The Auto Wire. Investigators noted he had previously injured his leg on an electric vehicle six months earlier, yet his father reportedly bought him the faster model, according to CBS News.
A GoFundMe created for the family raised over $7,100 of its $7,500 goal, with organizers citing the financial burden from the tragedy. The campaign highlighted Benson’s role in the local lion dance community, as reported by New Santa Ana.
Legal Actions Target Parents
Vu Thanh Nguyen, 56, faces up to six years in prison if convicted on all counts, while his wife, Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen, 49, could serve a year in county jail. The charges stem from their alleged failure to prevent Benson from riding the e-moto, which prosecutors say violated California’s strict rules for minors. When parents refuse to hold their children accountable and that refusal to parent results in unspeakable tragedy, then I have no choice but to hold parents accountable,
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated, CBS News reported.
Spitzer’s office has filed similar charges against parents since January 2026, including cases involving children injured in collisions with pickup trucks and those who led police on pursuits. We don’t want to have to prosecute parents – we want to save kids’ lives,
Spitzer added, NBC4 Los Angeles noted. The case against Benson’s parents is part of the DA’s RIDE SAFELY unit, which targets e-bike and e-moto violations.
Safety Concerns Amid E-Moto Surge
E-bike and e-moto injuries in Orange County have surged over 430% in four years, with these vehicles now the leading cause of juvenile emergency room visits. Prosecutors cite over 125 deaths nationwide linked to e-motos, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement. You shouldn’t furnish your kid a gun not understanding what they might do with that weapon,
Spitzer said, CBS News reported. And you certainly shouldn’t furnish a vehicle like an e-bike or an e-motorcycle.
The E-Ride Pro SS 2.0, which Benson was riding, exceeds California’s e-bike limits. Authorities warn that vehicles classified as motorcycles require proper licensing, yet many parents purchase them for minors without understanding the legal implications, The Auto Wire noted. A recent study by the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center found a 675% rise in injuries among children and young adults over five years.
As the case moves forward, it highlights the tension between parental responsibility and the growing popularity of high-speed electric vehicles. 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, Spitzer said. The outcome could set a precedent for future cases involving minors and unsafe vehicle use.
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