Garden Grove, CA - Parents Charged After 13-Year-Old Dies in Electric Motorcycle Crash on Magnolia Street

Garden Grove, CA (October 21, 2026) - Just before 10 p.m. on May 7, a 13-year-old boy lost control of an electric motorcycle on Magnolia Street near Larson Avenue in Garden Grove. On October 21, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced criminal charges against his parents.

Investigators said phone-app data showed the boy was traveling 43 mph when he lost control, hit a raised center divider and was thrown from the vehicle. He struck a concrete light pole and died at a hospital.

Prosecutors charged the boy's father, 56, of Santa Ana, with one felony count of child endangerment and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He faces up to six years in prison if convicted. His mother, 49, of Santa Ana, was charged with one misdemeanor count of child endangerment and faces up to one year in jail if convicted.

Investigators said the father bought the faster electric motorcycle despite multiple warnings, and after the boy had been hurt on a different electric vehicle about six months earlier. The vehicle can reach 62 mph and is classified as a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle under Vehicle Code sections 400 and 405.

The district attorney's office said it has charged 10 parents since January through its RIDE SAFELY unit. Court dates have not been announced. Criminal charges are accusations, not findings of guilt.

How California Law Treats E-Motorcycles and E-Bikes After a Serious Crash

Not every electric two-wheeler is an e-bike. The DMV says e-bikes are exempt from driver license, plate and financial responsibility requirements under Vehicle Code section 24016. A faster vehicle, like the one in this case, is classified as a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle under sections 400 and 405. Different rules apply. According to reporting on the charges, an electric two-wheeler is in that category if it exceeds 750 watts. The same is true if it can exceed 20 mph on motor power alone or has no working pedals. Riding it on public streets requires a motorcycle license, DMV registration, plates and insurance.

Families hurt in an e-bike or e-motorcycle crash often learn that classification affects which insurance, if any, responds. Homeowner and auto policies may exclude motorized vehicles, so read the policy and ask the insurer in writing.

• First steps: Get medical care, keep the vehicle, helmet and charger untouched, save the phone app and ride data, and photograph the crash location.
• Who may be liable: The seller or manufacturer if a defect or misleading marketing played a part, an adult who supplied or allowed use of a vehicle beyond a rider's ability, or a property owner, depending on the facts.
• Deadline: For a crash on May 7, 2026, the two-year deadline under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1 would be May 7, 2028. Different time limits can apply when the injured person is a minor, so ask promptly.

E-Bike and E-Motorcycle Injury Help in Orange County

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is based in Los Angeles and serves families across Southern California, including Orange County. If your family is dealing with a serious e-bike or e-motorcycle crash, our e-bike and e-motorcycle injury attorneys can explain your options. There is no pressure to decide anything quickly.

What Orange County families get with Contreras Law after a serious electric vehicle crash:

• $200M+ recovered for clients
• More than $30M recovered in 2025 alone
• Takes cases to trial with 7+ jury trials each year
• Bilingual representation in English and Spanish
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Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.