Lauren Turner, a sophomore on the Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team, died nearly six weeks after she and a teammate were hit by a box truck while riding electric scooters on a road near campus. She was 19.
“Early this morning our sweet Lauren fell asleep in the Lord,” her family wrote Friday. GoFundMe page it was started to help cover her medical expenses. “Our hearts are broken and our family is forever changed. We will miss her tremendously, but we take great comfort in knowing that she is now in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
A native of Tustin, Turner began playing soccer at age 4. She played four years on the Beckman High varsity team, including two years as team captain, and earned team MVP honors as a freshman. As a freshman at Cal State Fullerton, she played in all 20 games, starting four, and finished with one goal and one assist. She has made eight starts in 10 games this season.
“As a dedicated soccer player, she was known for her spirit, determination and the way she encouraged those around her,” Turner's family wrote. “Her teammates and coaches shared countless stories of her positivity, humor, competitiveness and leadership—reminders of the light she brought both on and off the field.
“As her family, we always knew the kindness and light that shone through her, but hearing others talk about it confirms what a true blessing she was to everyone who knew her.”
Lauren Turner was remembered by her Cal State Fullerton teammates as “the funniest, most charismatic and loving teammate you could ever ask for.”
(Cal State Fullerton Athletics)
Turner and her Titans teammate Ashlyn Gwynn were riding electric scooters to a men's soccer game around 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 when they were struck by a truck on Associated Road near Yorba Linda Boulevard, according to the Fullerton Police Department.
Officers arriving at the scene of the collision found two women “in the roadway with serious, life-threatening injuries,” Fullerton police said in a news release.
Emergency personnel transported the two, without helmets, to a local trauma center. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash, the department said.
Christy Wells, public information officer for Fullerton police, said Tuesday that the investigation into the collision is still active and ongoing. No charges against the driver have been forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
As per October 30th update GoFundMe page began helping Gwynn with medical bills, after a month in the ICU, Gwynn had progressed enough to be transferred to the Progressive Care Unit.
“Her recovery was truly a miracle,” Gwynn’s family wrote.
A candlelight vigil for Turner will be held on the field at Titan Stadium at Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday at 5:30 pm PST.
“Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic and loving teammate you could ever ask for,” Turner's teammates on the 2025 football team said in a statement. “She was the first to celebrate other people's victories. She is the true definition of an amazing person. She always carried herself with compassion, kindness and happiness. The impact she had on the Titans women's soccer program is immeasurable.”
“She will be deeply missed by everyone but will always be remembered by her Titan family. We love you Lauren, our number 5 forever.”
Times staff writer Andrew J. Campa contributed to this report.
