CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -
Visitation took place this weekend for a Southeast Missouri State University athlete who died following a scooter crash in Cape Girardeau.
SEMO student-athlete Meghan Herndon passed away Thursday afternoon in St. Louis.
The 21-year-old senior soccer player from Fenton, Missouri was involved in a scooter crash on September 9.
The star athlete's story has captured the hearts of thousands.
"I feel it's important that we come together as a community and as a university to remember her life, and not the accident that happened by it," said Southeast student Elizabeth Sterr.
Police say the 19-year-old that hit Herndon has been ticketed. Herndon's family tells Heartland News they do not place any blame in this situation. They call it an accident, something that could happen to anyone.
The university released this official statement early Thursday evening:
"On Thursday afternoon, senior Meg Herndon from the Southeast Missouri soccer team passed away at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
Herndon suffered severe injuries in an automobile accident on Sept. 9 and had been hospitalized since.
"The entire Department of Athletics is mourning the tragic loss of Meg Herndon today," Southeast Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt said. "We extend our deepest condolences to Meg's parents, family, friends and teammates, who have all shown inspirational strength in dealing with these challenging circumstances. Meg was a brilliant student-athlete who touched the lives of countless individuals in the community, something that has been shown with the uncanny support displayed over the past few weeks. She personified the term student-athlete by every definition with her dedication in the classroom, community and on the field."
Herndon played 55 matches in her four years with the Redhawks and started 39 times. She helped lead the Redhawks to an Ohio Valley Conference championship in 2011, starting all 19 matches on defense during that season.
A standout in the classroom as well, held a 3.83 grade point average as a nursing major. She earned a spot on the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll three times and was a three-time Southeast Scholar-Athlete."
Southeast Missouri State University has canceled its next two women's soccer games that were scheduled for Sept. 21 and Sept. 23.
Meghan's visitation was from 4-9 p.m. Saturday Sept. 22 and 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept, 23 at Kutis Funeral Home at 10501 Gravois in Afton, MO 63123.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24 at St. Paul's Church in Fenton at 15 Forest Knoll Drive, Fenton, MO 63026.
A luncheon will be held following the funeral on Monday from 1:00pm - 5:00pm at Andre's West Banquets & Catering at 211 on South Old Highway 141 in Fenton, MO 63026
Cash contributions will be accepted at the door.
Southeast Missouri State University will be holding a campus memorial service on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in Houck Stadium.
You can learn more about Meghan's story by going to caringbridge.org/visit/meghanherndon.
On Twitter: #pray4meg and #rallyformeg.
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