The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced on March 26 that a mother and father from Benicia have been charged with child abuse after their unlicensed minor was injured in an e-moto crash in Walnut Creek.
The charges highlight growing concerns about the risks associated with children operating electric vehicles without proper supervision or licensing, especially as such vehicles become more common on city streets.
Steven Leroy Crews and Jeanna Marie Gabellini, both 58, are set to be arraigned on March 27 at the Martinez courthouse. They each face one misdemeanor count of child abuse for allegedly allowing their minor child to ride an e-moto unlawfully between October 19, 2024, and September 18, 2025. According to authorities, the incident occurred on September 18, 2025, when the minor crashed a Surron Light Bee e-Moto bike into a minivan at Treat Boulevard and Arkell Road. The collision resulted in severe injuries to the minor who required emergency hospital care; the driver of the minivan was not injured and remained at the scene.
Police investigations determined that prior to the crash, the minor was riding unsafely and at high speeds. Officials allege that Crews and Gabellini allowed their child to repeatedly ride the e-moto from ages fourteen through seventeen despite multiple citations and warnings from law enforcement.
District Attorney Diana Becton said, “E-bikes and e-motos are more prevalent on city streets. Now that California has new laws on the books to address public safety offenses related to e-bikes and e-motos, parents must understand the dangers these vehicles can pose to children if operated unlawfully and without proper driver education.”
The City of Walnut Creek provides information regarding classifications of electric bikes and how they should be operated safely according to current laws. The cases against Crews (01-25-04762) and Gabellini (01-25-04777) will proceed as scheduled.
