The parents of a 13-year-old boy who died while riding an electric motorcycle in Orange County (OC) have pleaded not guilty in court to charges of child endangerment and abuse.
According to recent reports from Fox News, Bu Thanh Nguyen (56) and Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen (49), residents of Santa Ana, denied all charges during a court appearance on the 12th.
Father Bu Thanh Nguyen was charged with felony child endangerment and a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, while mother Hong Cuc Thi Nguyen was charged with misdemeanor child abuse and endangerment.
According to the OC District Attorney’s Office, their son Benson Nguyen (13) was involved in an accident around 10:00 p.m. on May 7th near Magnolia Street and Larson Avenue in Garden Grove while riding an ‘E-Ride Pro SS 2.0’ electric motorcycle.
At the time, Benson was repeatedly speeding, running red lights, and performing ‘wheelies’ by lifting the front wheel before crashing into a raised median in the middle of the road. The impact threw him from the vehicle, causing him to strike a concrete light pole. He was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Prosecutors argued that the father purchased the high-powered electric motorcycle despite being warned multiple times about his son’s dangerous riding habits.
It was also confirmed that several videos showcasing dangerous riding stunts were posted on Benson’s TikTok and Instagram accounts.
Under California law, high-powered electric motorcycles like the one involved in the accident are distinct from regular e-bikes, requiring a motorcycle license and specialized safety equipment to operate.
Conversely, the defense attorneys for the parents cited language barriers and a lack of safety warnings from the retailer to deny responsibility.
Joel Garson, the father’s defense attorney, argued that the parents barely spoke English and could not understand the difference between an e-bike and an electric motorcycle. He also stated that the retailer provided no explanation or warnings regarding top speed, road legality, or age appropriateness.
The next court appearance for the parents is scheduled for January 25th of next year at the West Justice Center in Westminster.
