An 81-year-old man who was critically injured in Lake Forest after being struck by an off-highway motorcycle allegedly driven by a 14-year-old boy has been identified as a substitute teacher and a Vietnam War pilot, and the local community has been quick to offer support.
Ed Ashman, who taught at El Toro High School, has remained in critical condition following the crash ob April 16, according to a GoFundMe page created on behalf of his family.
Ashman was walking home from school when he was hit near Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities said the boy struck him while riding what was initially reported as an e-bike but was later determined to be an off-highway motorcycle — a vehicle not permitted on public roadways in California.
The teen fled the scene but was later identified and arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run causing injury and reckless driving resulting in injury, officials said.
“Our community was shaken this week by a tragic accident,” the fundraiser states. “Ed is currently in critical condition and is fighting through a series of severe injuries.”
Known to students as a steady and supportive presence on campus, Ashman spent his retirement years working as a substitute teacher, continuing a lifetime of service that began in the military.
“He is no stranger to bravery,” the page states, noting his service as a Vietnam War pilot. “After his time in the service, he brought that same dedication to the classroom.”
Family members, including his wife, children and grandchildren, have remained at his bedside as he undergoes treatment, according to the statement. The fundraiser says the cost of emergency care, surgeries and long-term rehabilitation is expected to be significant.
As of Saturday morning, the fundraiser had raised more than $52,000.