Cal State Fullerton coach enacts helmet rule after 2 women's soccer players seriously injured in e-scooter crash

"Cal State Fullerton's women's soccer coach is pushing for more college sports teams to implement helmet rules for athletes on e-bikes and e-scooters after a box truck hit and seriously injured two of his players who were riding e-scooters in September. Lauren Turner and Ashlyn Gwynn, both sophomores on the soccer team, were riding e-scooters to a men's soccer game around 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, when a box truck struck them near Associated Road and Yorba Linda Boulevard, police said."

"Since the crash, Brown implemented a rule requiring his players to wear helmets whenever they ride e-scooters and e-bikes. Coaches of other NCAA women's soccer teams, who have reached out to express their sympathy and support for Turner and Gwynn's injuries, told Brown they've also required their athletes to wear helmets after learning of the collision. Brown hopes to spread awareness of the dangers of not wearing a helmet to other programs within Cal State Fullerton athletics and throughout the NCAA."

"We don't want another program or another player or another student to have to suffer what we're suffering right now, Brown said. Brown said he visited the hospital after receiving a call hours after the crash that his players had been hurt. He's continued to visit, spending time with Turner and Gwynn's families and coordinating travel for Gwynn's family, who are from Utah."

Two Cal State Fullerton women's soccer sophomores, Lauren Turner and Ashlyn Gwynn, suffered life-threatening injuries after a box truck struck them while they rode e-scooters to a men's soccer game on Sept. 27. Officers found the women in the street with significant, life-threatening injuries and they were hospitalized; as of Oct. 6 both remained in intensive care and Turner faces severe head trauma. Neither player was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The Cal State Fullerton women's soccer program now requires players to wear helmets whenever they ride e-scooters or e-bikes. Coaches from other NCAA women's soccer programs have also required helmets for their athletes after learning of the collision. Team staff have been visiting the players and families and coordinating travel and support.

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