Parents of 13-year-old rider killed in e-moto crash deny charges
Charged with endangering their son, the couple argues they were not informed about the vehicle's speed and legal requirements by the retailer.
By Marina Weber ·
Two Santa Ana residents entered not guilty pleas on Thursday, Nov. 12, in the death of their 13-year-old son during a high-speed ride in Orange County. 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 couple is represented by attorneys Joel Garson and David Scarsone, respectively.
The fatal incident occurred around 10 p.m. on May 7 at Magnolia Street near Larson Avenue in Garden Grove. Benson Nguyen was operating an E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 when he lost control and struck a raised center divider. He fell from the vehicle and hit a concrete light pole. Medics transported him to UCI Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. Prosecutors state that Benson was speeding, flashing through red lights, and performing wheelies at the time of the crash.
District attorneys allege that Vu Thanh Nguyen purchased the high-powered vehicle for his son despite prior warnings about reckless riding. The teen had suffered a broken leg in a separate crash six months before his death. Authorities also cited videos posted on Benson's TikTok and Instagram accounts that showed him performing daredevil stunts. Under state law, vehicles like the E-Ride Pro SS 2.0 are classified differently from standard e-bikes and require a motorcycle license and specific safety equipment.
Defense attorney Joel Garson stated that the parents speak limited English and did not understand the distinction between e-bikes and e-motorcycles. He argued that the retailer sold the vehicle without providing warnings about its top speed, street legality, or age appropriateness. Garson described the family as still grieving and facing social ostracism due to media coverage. He noted that Benson found social acceptance through riding and that the family struggled to prevent his risky behavior before the accident.
The next court appearance for Vu Thanh Nguyen and Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen is scheduled for Jan. 25 at the West Justice Center in Westminster. The case is part of a wider local effort to address the use of high-powered electric vehicles by minors. While the defense referenced underlying family struggles, specific details about those dynamics have not been disclosed publicly.
The identity of the retailer that sold the vehicle to the family remains unknown. It is also unclear if the business faces scrutiny over its sales practices. The criminal proceedings will move forward with both parents continuing to deny the charges laid against them by the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
