Huntington Beach, California — More than a year after a young man was killed while attempting to “car surf” on an e-bike along Pacific Coast Highway, California prosecutors have filed a felony charge against the driver accused of allowing the dangerous stunt.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced that 21-year-old Braden Scott Soleau has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter in connection with the death of his friend, Kolby Keoa Aipa, the grandson of legendary Hawaiian surfboard maker Ben Aipa.
Authorities allege Soleau knowingly allowed Aipa to hold onto his moving pickup truck while traveling at highway speeds, leading to the fatal crash.
Prosecutors Say Driver Allowed Dangerous ‘Car Surfing’ Stunt
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on August 2, 2025, after a movie premiere in Huntington Beach.
Soleau had picked up eight passengers in his 2015 Toyota Tacoma, with three people riding in the truck bed. Investigators say Aipa, who was riding an e-bike, asked Soleau if he could grab onto the truck and “car surf.”
Prosecutors allege Soleau agreed, allowing Aipa to place his arm through the open front passenger-side window while riding beside the moving pickup.
Authorities also say a passenger recorded video of Aipa holding onto the truck as Soleau allegedly drove about 50 miles per hour southbound on Pacific Coast Highway.
Rider Lost Control and Died Days Later
According to investigators, Aipa eventually lost control of the e-bike and fell onto the roadway.
Prosecutors said he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Emergency responders transported him to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he remained in critical condition.
He died three days later from blunt head trauma, according to prosecutors.
Officials also noted that California law prohibits anyone riding a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, bicycle, roller skates, sled, or similar device from attaching themselves to a moving vehicle on a public roadway.
District Attorney Calls Incident a Preventable Tragedy
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described the case as a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly reckless decisions can turn deadly.
“This tragedy cost the life of a young man with his entire future ahead of him and will forever impact a young man who will have to live the rest of his life knowing that he killed his friend,” Spitzer said.
Authorities stressed that the criminal charge relates to allegations that Soleau’s actions demonstrated gross negligence, not merely poor judgment.
Driver Faces Up to Six Years in Prison
Soleau has been charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. If convicted, prosecutors say he could face a maximum sentence of six years in California state prison.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at the West Justice Center in Westminster, where the criminal case will move forward.
As with all criminal cases, the charge is an allegation, and Soleau is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What are your thoughts on this tragic case? Should penalties be tougher for dangerous driving stunts involving friends and passengers? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
