California Soccer Player Passes Away After Accident
A well-known soccer player from California State University, Fullerton, tragically passed away roughly six weeks after being struck by a box truck while riding an electric scooter with her teammates near campus.
Lauren Turner, just 19 years old and in her sophomore year, succumbed to her injuries on November 7. She had been critically injured in a serious accident back on September 27, which left her in a coma.
In a heartfelt statement, Turner’s family shared, “Early this morning, our sweet Lauren fell asleep in the Lord. Our hearts are broken and our family is forever changed.” They took comfort in knowing she was now in a better place, embraced by their faith.
Turner’s family described her as a bright, funny individual with a unique ability to lift others’ spirits. They highlighted her dedication to soccer, mentioning how she was always supportive, encouraging, and someone her teammates admired for her leadership qualities and humor. “Her laugh reflected the joy in her heart,” they noted.
On the evening of the accident, Turner and her sophomore teammate Ashlyn Gwynn were on their scooters heading to a men’s soccer game when a box truck, traveling in the same lane, collided with them on Associated Road, near their campus, according to officials.
Reports from the Fullerton Police Department indicated that the crash occurred while the teammates were traveling in the second lane. There’s a bicycle lane that separates the turning lane from others at that intersection, based on satellite imagery.
During the investigation, the electric scooter was found abandoned on the road. Fortunately, it seems that neither alcohol nor drugs contributed to the incident.
The truck driver, who was operating a Ford Econoline E350, stayed at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement. So far, no arrests have been made.
After the accident, Turner was admitted to the ICU for severe head injuries. A native of Tustin, California, she had played in all 20 games during her freshman year, managing to score one goal and offer one assist. She had also participated in all 10 of her sophomore season’s games, contributing significantly before the tragic events unfolded.
As for her teammate, Gwynne was reported to have suffered serious injuries as well and was initially placed in intensive care before being moved to a less critical unit, as per her family’s updates.
Turner’s team remembered her as a loving and charismatic individual who celebrated her peers’ successes wholeheartedly. “Lauren was the true definition of a great person,” her team expressed, emphasizing her kindness and uplifting spirit. The women’s soccer program noted how her impact would be missed dearly but cherished forever among the Titan family.
To honor both players, the team wore custom armbands and wristbands featuring their initials and numbers during the season. A candlelight vigil for Turner is scheduled to take place at the campus football stadium.
In terms of sports, Fullerton’s women’s soccer team made it to the No. 3 seed in the Big West Conference tournament. They secured a win against CSU Bakersfield in the quarterfinals but faced a setback, losing 1-0 to Cal Poly in the semifinals.
