– By F. Scott Faulkner
OAK VIEW, CA — August 2, 2025 – Two 18-year-olds are facing a raft of charges after leading deputies on a reckless, taunting ride
through Oak View on electric motorcycles—one of which ended in an injury crash.
It all began around 2:15 p.m. on July 24, when Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Ojai Patrol
deputies attempted a traffic stop on two individuals riding unregistered electric motorcycles.
According to VCSD spokesman Det. Christian La Secia, instead of yielding to red lights and
sirens, the riders “taunted patrol deputies with vulgar hand gestures” and rode away,
“deliberately circling back to mock and bait the deputies” into a chase.
The two riders were unmistakably provocative as they popped wheelies, sped down bike paths
“at over 50 mph,” and swerved into oncoming lanes—endangering themselves and everyone
nearby.
Additional deputies soon converged on the area, and at 2:45 p.m., one rider—later identified as
Adam Zepeda, 18, of Oak View—slowed and then gunned it at 30 mph as a deputy approached.
Moments later, he slammed into a northbound vehicle on Spring Street. His motorcycle exploded
into pieces, and Zepeda was launched six feet into the air.
Upon returning to terra firma with “serious injuries,” Zepeda was rushed to a local trauma center
for medical care.
While in the hospital, Zepeda was arrested on a felony charge of evading a
peace officer with willful disregard for public safety, along with multiple misdemeanors and
infractions, including reckless driving, riding in prohibited areas, driving unlicensed, and
operating an unregistered vehicle.
Detectives with the VCSD Ojai Special Enforcement Unit picked up the case from there.
Using “several investigative tools” they tracked down the second rider—Angel Ramirez, 18 and
from Oak View.
He was arrested on July 29, 2025, transported to Ventura County Jail, and
booked on the aforementioned charges faced by Zepeda.
