The Cal State Fullerton head injury tragedies involving two 19-year-old students have left the university community devastated, as both young women died just one week apart in unrelated incidents. One death followed catastrophic traumatic head injuries from an e-scooter crash, shining a spotlight on growing safety concerns affecting students across California campuses.
Loss of Dance Team Member Destiny Morris
On November 14, 19-year-old Destiny Morris, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and the Titans Dance Team, passed away, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Her cause of death has not yet been disclosed publicly.
Friends described Morris as hardworking, joyful, and passionate — a dancer who achieved her dream of joining the Titans Dance Team and inspired those around her.
A public celebration of life will take place on November 30 at By Your Side Dance Studio in Marina del Rey, where she trained growing up. The university also plans a moment of silence before the men’s basketball home opener on December 4.
Death of Soccer Player Lauren Turner After Traumatic Head Injury
Just a week before Morris’s death, Cal State Fullerton lost another 19-year-old student: Lauren Turner, a sophomore on the women’s soccer team.
Turner died on November 7 after spending weeks in intensive care recovering from severe head trauma sustained in a September 27 e-scooter crash.
Turner and teammate Ashlyn Gwynn were riding electric scooters on Associated Road near Yorba Linda Boulevard when a Ford Econoline E350 box truck struck them. Police said the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Drugs and alcohol were not factors, and no arrests have been made.
Turner’s parents shared an emotional announcement:
“Our sweet Lauren fell asleep in the Lord … Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever changed.”
Gwynn, who also suffered serious injuries, has since been moved out of the ICU.
A Campus in Mourning
Students, athletes, and staff held a candlelight vigil for Turner on November 12 at the campus soccer stadium.
The Titans women’s soccer team honored both injured teammates throughout the season with custom wristbands bearing their initials and jersey numbers: LT5 – AG7.
Morris’s sorority sisters and dance family also shared tributes, remembering her as “a source of light” and “a young woman who lifted everyone around her.”
Legal Context: Head Trauma, E-Scooters, and Roadway Responsibility
Turner’s death highlights the growing number of catastrophic injuries tied to electric scooters, particularly around university campuses. California law sets specific safety expectations:
- Vehicle Code §21235 prohibits riding scooters without a valid license and bans operating them on sidewalks.
- Vehicle Code §21212 requires all minors under 18 to wear a helmet; although Turner was 19, helmet use remains strongly recommended for adults.
- Drivers must exercise reasonable care toward vulnerable riders under Civil Code §1714.
In cases involving severe head injury or wrongful death, families may pursue claims under CCP §377.60 if:
- The driver was negligent,
- The roadway was unsafe,
- The scooter malfunctioned, or
- Visibility or infrastructure contributed to the collision.
How We Can Help
If you or a loved one has been affected by tragedies like the Cal State Fullerton student deaths, especially cases involving traumatic brain injury, know that you don’t have to navigate this painful time alone. Brain Injury Help Center is here to help.
We offer:
- Free Consultations to understand your rights.
- No-Win, No-Fee Guarantee: You only pay if we win your case.
- Comprehensive Support: From investigating roadway conditions to coordinating medical care and pursuing maximum compensation, we’re with you every step of the way.
Medical Treatment You Need, Money You Deserve
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If your family has been impacted by a severe accident, traumatic brain injury, or wrongful death, contact the Brain Injury Help Center for a compassionate, free legal consultation.
