California Father Faces Felony Charges Over Modified E-Bike Crash
A father from California has been accused of dangerously modifying his 12-year-old son's e-bike to achieve speeds of up to sixty miles per hour, a reckless act that preceded a catastrophic roadway crash leaving the boy with critical injuries. Richard John Eyssallenne, aged 39, entered a plea of not guilty on Tuesday to one felony count of child endangerment and abuse, alongside a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, during proceedings at the Orange County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Details Alleged Modifications
According to Orange County District Attorney's Office Prosecutor Noor Hasan, Eyssallenne is alleged to have extensively altered a 2024 Talaria XXX e-bike, which was originally limited to a maximum speed of 20mph, transforming it into a vehicle capable of reaching 60mph. The e-bike had been a Christmas gift to the boy and had already been impounded once prior to the devastating crash in July 2025.
On the day of the incident, the young boy was riding the modified Talaria in Yorba Linda, a city near Los Angeles where the family resides. A press release from the Orange County District Attorney's Office stated that he ran a red light and entered oncoming traffic, where he was struck by a Honda Civic despite the driver's efforts to avoid a collision. The impact resulted in severe injuries for the 12-year-old, including a concussion, an intracranial bleed, a skull fracture, a broken wrist, and a fractured femur.
Safety Concerns and Legal Violations
Investigators who inspected the e-bike post-crash discovered that it had been converted into what California law classifies as a motorcycle. The Talaria, under a Class-3 designation due to its 5,000-watt motor, legally required riders to be at least 16 years old and possess a motorcycle license. However, the modifications went beyond mere age restrictions.
The inspection revealed that the pedals had been replaced with motorcycle pegs and the 20mph speed limit wire had been cut and rerouted to a key switch. By disabling the speed-limiting mechanism, which had reduced the motor's output to 750 watts, the vehicle was able to harness its full 5,000-watt power, enabling speeds up to 60mph. Under these modifications, any rider would have needed DMV registration, a license plate, insurance, full motorcycle equipment, and a valid motorcycle license—requirements the 12-year-old clearly did not meet.
Prior Safety Efforts and Legal Consequences
Eyssallenne had attended an e-bike safety presentation with his son in January 2025, following a citation the boy received the previous month for illegally riding a Class 3 e-bike. Despite this, the alleged modifications proceeded, leading to the tragic crash.
If convicted on both charges, Eyssallenne faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison. His next court date for a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 21.
District Attorney's Stern Warning
In a press release, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer issued a forceful statement condemning such actions. 'There is absolutely no reason that an unlicensed, untrained child with no concept of the rules of the road should be riding a motorcycle that can go up to 60 miles per hour next to cars on a public street and think that by some miracle they are going to be safe,' Spitzer said.
He added, 'This 12-year-old boy is lucky to be alive and the driver who hit him will have to live with that horror of seriously injuring a child through no fault of his own. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office isn’t letting parents off with a warning. Let me make it clear: Parents who buy their child an E-motorcycle and let them ride them illegally or help modify e-bikes to transform them into E-motorcycles are handing their children a loaded weapon – and those parents are going to be prosecuted.'
Daily Mail has reached out to Eyssallenne for comment, but no response has been reported at this time. This case highlights critical issues surrounding e-bike safety, parental responsibility, and the enforcement of vehicle modification laws in California.
