A standout California college soccer player died nearly six weeks after she and her teammate were struck by a box truck while riding electric scooters near campus.
Cal State Fullerton sophomore Lauren Turner, 19, died on Nov. 7 after being critically injured and left in a coma from the horrific crash on Sept. 27.
“Early this morning, our sweet Lauren fell asleep in the Lord. Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever changed,” Turner’s family wrote on GoFundMe. “We will miss her beyond measure, yet we take great comfort in knowing she is now in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Lauren approached everything she did with heart and joy. She was funny, full of life, and had a gift for making people laugh and feel at ease,” the grieving family wrote. “Her laughter was a reflection of the joy God placed in her heart. As a dedicated soccer player, she was known for her encouragement, determination, and the way she lifted up those around her. Her teammates and coaches have shared countless stories of her positivity, humor, competitiveness, and leadership – reminders of the light she carried both on and off the field.”
Turner and her teammate, sophomore Ashlyn Gwynn, were riding their electric scooters to a Cal State men’s soccer game at around 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 when they were struck by the box truck driving in the same lane as them on Associated Road, just north of Southern California campus, officials said.
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.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
