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A promising young athlete from a California college tragically passed away almost six weeks after a devastating incident. She and her teammate were hit by a box truck while riding electric scooters in the vicinity of their university.
Lauren Turner, a 19-year-old sophomore at Cal State Fullerton, succumbed to her injuries on November 7, following a critical injury and coma from the collision on September 27.
“This morning, our beloved Lauren peacefully went to be with the Lord. Our hearts are shattered, and our family is forever altered,” shared Turner’s family on their GoFundMe page. “We will miss her immeasurably, but find solace knowing she is now in the comforting arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
“Lauren infused every endeavor with passion and joy. She had a knack for humor, enlivened any room, and made those around her feel at ease,” her family expressed in mourning. “Her laughter echoed the joy God instilled in her. As a committed soccer player, she was celebrated for her uplifting spirit, determination, and the support she offered to others. Teammates and coaches have shared numerous anecdotes of her positivity, wit, competitiveness, and leadership—a testament to the light she shone both on and off the pitch.”
The incident occurred as Turner and her fellow sophomore, Ashlyn Gwynn, were en route to a Cal State men’s soccer match on their electric scooters. Around 7 p.m. on September 27, they were struck by a box truck traveling in the same lane on Associated Road, just north of their Southern California campus, according to officials.
The Fullerton Police Department said the teammates were riding in the second lane at the time of the crash. Satellite images show a bike lane dividing the right turn lane from the other lanes near the intersection with Yodba Linda Blvd.
Electric scooters lay in the road as police investigated the cause of the crash, according to video obtained by KCAL.
Alcohol or drugs are not believed to have played a factor in the accident, the Fullerton Police Department said.
The driver of the truck, a Ford Econoline E350, remained at the scene of the tragic accident and was cooperative with authorities, according to student newspaper the Daily Titan.
No arrests have been made.
Turner was placed in the ICU battling severe head trauma, her family said.
The Tustin, California-native played in all 20 matches her Freshman year, tallying one goal and one assist. She played in all 10 matches of her second season before her crash, starting in eight for a total of 595 minutes.
“Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic, and loving teammate you could ever ask for. She was the first to celebrate other people’s wins. She is the true definition of an amazing person. She always carried herself with compassion, kindness, and happiness,” her team said.
“The impact she made on the Titans women’s soccer program is immeasurable. She will be dearly missed by everyone but forever remembered by her Titan family. We love you Lauren, our No. 5 Forever”
Gwynn was “severely injured” and placed in the ICU before being moved out to the “Step Down” unit, her family announced on their own GoFundMe on Oct. 30.
The Titan women’s soccer team paid tribute to their teammates during the season, wearing custom arm and wrist bands with Turner and Gwynn’s initials and numbers “LT5-AG7.”
A candlelight vigil will be held for Turner at the on-campus soccer stadium on Wednesday.
Fullerton clinched the third seed in the Big West Conference tournament, defeating CSU Bakersfield in the quarterfinals before falling to Cal Poly 1-0 in the semis Thursday night.