The parents of a 13-year-old Orange County boy who died in an e-motorcycle crash are facing child endangerment charges, raising urgent questions about electric vehicle safety for children. According to LAist, Benson Nguyen crashed into a center divider in May while traveling more than 40 mph, was thrown from the vehicle and struck a concrete light pole.
Prosecutors charged his father with felony child endangerment and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor, while his mother faces a misdemeanor child endangerment charge. The father faces up to six years in state prison, and the mother faces up to one year in county jail.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “grief does not erase the need for accountability,” arguing that the parents allowed their untrained, unlicensed son to continue riding despite repeated warnings and previous injuries. The case highlights the serious consequences that can arise when children operate powerful motorized vehicles without appropriate training or legal authorization.
E-Scooter Injuries Among Children Are Rising
Although Benson’s crash involved an e-motorcycle rather than an e-scooter, research shows that electric micromobility devices pose growing safety concerns for young riders. A 2026 review of pediatric e-scooter and e-bike injuries found that population-adjusted injury rates rose 293% for e-bikes and 88% for powered scooters between 2019 and 2022.
Injuries commonly affect the arms, wrists and other extremities, with fractures, cuts and soft-tissue injuries frequently reported. Head injuries, traumatic brain injuries and facial trauma are particularly concerning because they can cause lasting harm.
The review also found that injuries disproportionately affect boys and peak among children ages 11 to 14. Researchers caution that rising injury rates do not necessarily establish greater risk per ride, but the findings underline the importance of prevention.
How Parents Can Prevent E-Scooter and E-Motorcycle Injuries
Parents can reduce risks by checking age recommendations, vehicle classifications and local laws before allowing children to ride. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons advises that children younger than eight should not use scooters and emphasizes choosing equipment appropriate for a child’s size and abilities.
A properly fitted helmet should be mandatory, alongside wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads. Children should practice braking and steering in open, safe areas, avoid traffic and steep hills, and never ride while distracted by phones or headphones.
Most importantly, parents should distinguish ordinary kick scooters from electric scooters, e-bikes and e-motorcycles, which can have very different speed capabilities and legal requirements. Never allow a child to operate a vehicle they are too young or unlicensed to use, and take previous crashes or injuries as serious warning signs.
