A Cal State Fullerton soccer player died almost a month and a half after she and a teammate were struck by a truck as they rode scooters near campus, officials said Monday.
Sophomore defender Lauren Turner died in hospice care on Friday, the school announced, six weeks after she and teammate Ashlyn Gwynn were hit by the truck as they rode to a Fullerton men's soccer match on Sept. 27.
Gwynn remains hospitalized and is expected to survive her injuries.
“Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic, and loving teammate you could ever ask for," according to a team statement.
The crash, on Associated Road just north of campus, is still under investigation, a Fullerton police spokesperson said on Tuesday.
At the time of the collision, Fullerton was 8-0-2 and Turner, who grew up in nearby Tustin, played in all 10 of those matches.
She logged a full 90 minutes once this season, in Fullerton's 1-0 triumph at Pitt on Aug. 28, only the second triumph over an ACC opponent in program history.
Turner played in 20 matches in her freshman season, scoring a goal on Oct. 3, 2024 against UC Riverside
"She was the first to celebrate other people’s wins," the team said.
"She is the true definition of an amazing person. She always carried herself with compassion, kindness, and happiness. The impact she made on the Titans women’s soccer program is immeasurable."
The player was survived by her parents Christopher and Christine and sisters Nicolette and Victoria.
A memorial is scheduled for early Wednesday evening at the school's soccer stadium.
