Cal State Fullerton soccer player Lauren Turner has died six weeks after being struck by a box truck while riding an e-scooter with a teammate, the university confirmed Wednesday. She was 19 years old.
Turner and fellow titan Ashlyn Gwynn, 7, were hit on Oct. 26 while traveling to a men’s soccer game. Turner sustained severe head trauma and had been in intensive care since the accident. Gwynn also suffered severe injuries and was initially placed in the ICU before being moved to a “Step Down” unit. This tragedy has deeply impacted the Fullerton community and casts a shadow over the women’s soccer program, which recently competed in the Big West Conference tournament.
The Tustin, California native had played in all 20 matches her freshman year, scoring one goal and providing one assist. In her second season, Turner appeared in all 10 matches, starting eight, and logging 595 minutes on the field.
The driver of the Ford Econoline E350 remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities, according to the student newspaper The Daily Titan. No arrests have been made.
“Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic, and loving teammate you could ever ask for,” her team said in a statement. “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.” The team added, “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’s family announced her injuries and recovery progress through a GoFundMe campaign launched Oct.30.
The Titan women’s soccer team honored turner and Gwynn throughout the season by wearing custom arm and wrist bands bearing their initials and jersey numbers, “LT5-AG7.” A candlelight vigil for Turner will be held wednesday at the on-campus soccer stadium.
Fullerton secured the third seed in the Big West Conference tournament, winning against CSU Bakersfield in the quarterfinals before losing 1-0 to Cal Poly in the semifinals on Thursday night.