What began as a normal September evening for two student-athletes at California State University, Fullerton turned into a tragedy that would ripple through an entire campus, devastate a community, and ultimately claim the life of one of the university’s most beloved young stars.
Lauren Turner, a 19-year-old sophomore and standout defensive midfielder for the Titans women’s soccer team, passed away on November 7 — nearly six weeks after she and her teammate, Ashlyn Gwynn, were struck by a box truck while riding electric scooters near campus.
The news, confirmed by the Fullerton Police Department and later by her family, shocked students, staff, and athletics supporters who had been praying for her recovery. Turner had remained unconscious since the night of the accident. Despite intensive care and unwavering hope, she never regained consciousness.
Her grieving family announced the heartbreaking update in a deeply emotional message on GoFundMe, writing:
“Early this morning, our sweet Lauren fell asleep in the Lord. Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever changed. We will miss her beyond measure, yet we take comfort in knowing she is in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Their words captured not only their grief but also a profound sense of faith — a faith that had guided them through every agonizing day of Lauren’s fight for life.
A Promising Athlete With a Bright Future
Lauren Turner was more than an athlete.
She was a daughter, a sister, a teammate, a friend, and a vibrant part of the Titans women’s soccer program.
Her family described her as someone who approached every part of her life — school, sports, friendships, and family — with joy, enthusiasm, and a heart full of kindness.
They wrote:
“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. 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.”
From the moment she arrived at Cal State Fullerton, Lauren made an impact.
She played in all 20 matches her freshman season — a rare accomplishment for a first-year player — and had already established herself as a reliable, talented starter during her sophomore year.
Her teammates echoed the same sentiment in a tribute of their own:
“Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic, and loving teammate you could ever ask for. The impact she made on the Titans women’s soccer program is immeasurable. She will always be loved and remembered by her Titan family. Our No. 5 Forever.”
Her jersey number, 5, became a symbol of strength and unity in the wake of her accident.
The Night Everything Changed
On the evening of September 27, just after 7 p.m., Turner and Gwynn were riding electric scooters down Associated Road, a busy street just off campus. They were on their way to attend a men’s soccer match — a common routine for Titan athletes who often supported one another’s games.
According to the Fullerton Police Department, the two teammates were traveling in the same lane as a box truck when the vehicle struck them from behind.
The collision was severe, leaving both young women with life-threatening injuries.
Authorities later confirmed that neither athlete was wearing a helmet.
Police also stated that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash.
The scene that night was described as chaotic and heartbreaking.
Scooter parts were scattered across the roadway, emergency vehicles lined the street, and first responders worked urgently to stabilize the two young athletes.
Lauren was rushed to the hospital with catastrophic head injuries.
Ashlyn suffered multiple serious injuries as well and was admitted to the ICU in critical condition.
What began as a simple, peaceful ride to a soccer match ended in a tragedy that changed countless lives.
A Battle for Survival
Lauren remained in a coma from the moment she arrived at the hospital.
Doctors fought to stabilize her, but the severity of her brain injury left little room for recovery.
Her family stayed by her side day after day, clinging to hope, praying together, and believing in the possibility of a miracle.
Friends, teammates, and supporters formed prayer circles, held vigils, and lined hospital waiting rooms with cards, flowers, and messages of love.
Meanwhile, Ashlyn Gwynn also spent weeks fighting for her life.
She remained in the ICU for over a month before finally being transferred to a step-down unit.
Her progress, described by her family as “a miracle,” continues — but doctors say she will need at least one to two years of rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and specialized neurological care.
The crash did not just injure two athletes — it sent shockwaves through an entire university.
A Campus and Community in Mourning
From the moment of the accident, Cal State Fullerton students and athletes united in support of their teammates.
Throughout the season, soccer players wore custom wristbands embroidered with “LT5 – AG7”, honoring both Turner and Gwynn.
Coaches, faculty, and staff shared memories of Lauren’s leadership and joyful presence.
Students organized fundraisers, healing gatherings, and campus-wide memorials.
Leadership coach Ali Malaekeh told CBS:
“When we got news of this incident, a part of me died. These girls were like family.”
Turner’s GoFundMe campaign exceeded $105,000, reflecting the enormous outpouring of love from the community.
Gwynn’s fundraiser climbed toward $70,000 — a testament to the support surrounding these young women and their families.
Even rival schools reached out, posting messages of sympathy, wearing purple ribbons, and sending care packages.
Lauren’s passing became a collective grief felt beyond her team — stretching across the athletic department, the campus, and far into the wider Fullerton community.
A Safety Policy Inspired by Loss
In the weeks following the accident, Cal State Fullerton head coach Demian Brown made a decision he hopes will save lives in the future:
a mandatory helmet requirement for all soccer players riding electric scooters.
Brown explained that this policy reflects a growing trend among college athletic programs across the country.
“So many schools, so many programs have initiated their own helmet rules for their teams,” Brown said.
“If anything good can come out of this tragedy, we want it to be the safety of another student, another athlete, another teammate.”
The goal is simple — to ensure that no team ever has to endure a loss like this again.
A Legacy That Lives On
Lauren Turner was only 19 years old, but the legacy she leaves behind stretches far beyond statistics or athletic achievements.
She leaves behind a legacy of joy, laughter, leadership, kindness, and light.
Her family expressed it beautifully:
“Her laughter was a reflection of the joy God placed in her heart.”
She was the teammate who made practice fun.
The friend who made others feel welcomed.
The daughter who brought endless pride.
The athlete who inspired others with her work ethic and passion.
Her absence will be felt in locker rooms, on practice fields, in classrooms, and in every corner of the community she touched.
But her spirit — full of energy, kindness, and love — will remain forever.
Her team’s final tribute said it best:
“Our No. 5. Forever.”
What began as a normal September evening for two student-athletes at California State University, Fullerton turned into a tragedy that would ripple through an entire campus, devastate a community, and ultimately claim the life of one of the university’s most beloved young stars.
Lauren Turner, a 19-year-old sophomore and standout defensive midfielder for the Titans women’s soccer team, passed away on November 7 — nearly six weeks after she and her teammate, Ashlyn Gwynn, were struck by a box truck while riding electric scooters near campus.
The news, confirmed by the Fullerton Police Department and later by her family, shocked students, staff, and athletics supporters who had been praying for her recovery. Turner had remained unconscious since the night of the accident. Despite intensive care and unwavering hope, she never regained consciousness.
Her grieving family announced the heartbreaking update in a deeply emotional message on GoFundMe, writing:
“Early this morning, our sweet Lauren fell asleep in the Lord. Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever changed. We will miss her beyond measure, yet we take comfort in knowing she is in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Their words captured not only their grief but also a profound sense of faith — a faith that had guided them through every agonizing day of Lauren’s fight for life.
A Promising Athlete With a Bright Future
Lauren Turner was more than an athlete.
She was a daughter, a sister, a teammate, a friend, and a vibrant part of the Titans women’s soccer program.
Her family described her as someone who approached every part of her life — school, sports, friendships, and family — with joy, enthusiasm, and a heart full of kindness.
They wrote:
“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. 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.”
From the moment she arrived at Cal State Fullerton, Lauren made an impact.
She played in all 20 matches her freshman season — a rare accomplishment for a first-year player — and had already established herself as a reliable, talented starter during her sophomore year.
Her teammates echoed the same sentiment in a tribute of their own:
“Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic, and loving teammate you could ever ask for. The impact she made on the Titans women’s soccer program is immeasurable. She will always be loved and remembered by her Titan family. Our No. 5 Forever.”
Her jersey number, 5, became a symbol of strength and unity in the wake of her accident.
The Night Everything Changed
On the evening of September 27, just after 7 p.m., Turner and Gwynn were riding electric scooters down Associated Road, a busy street just off campus. They were on their way to attend a men’s soccer match — a common routine for Titan athletes who often supported one another’s games.
According to the Fullerton Police Department, the two teammates were traveling in the same lane as a box truck when the vehicle struck them from behind.
The collision was severe, leaving both young women with life-threatening injuries.
Authorities later confirmed that neither athlete was wearing a helmet.
Police also stated that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the crash.
The scene that night was described as chaotic and heartbreaking.
Scooter parts were scattered across the roadway, emergency vehicles lined the street, and first responders worked urgently to stabilize the two young athletes.
Lauren was rushed to the hospital with catastrophic head injuries.
Ashlyn suffered multiple serious injuries as well and was admitted to the ICU in critical condition.
What began as a simple, peaceful ride to a soccer match ended in a tragedy that changed countless lives.
A Battle for Survival
Lauren remained in a coma from the moment she arrived at the hospital.
Doctors fought to stabilize her, but the severity of her brain injury left little room for recovery.
Her family stayed by her side day after day, clinging to hope, praying together, and believing in the possibility of a miracle.
Friends, teammates, and supporters formed prayer circles, held vigils, and lined hospital waiting rooms with cards, flowers, and messages of love.
Meanwhile, Ashlyn Gwynn also spent weeks fighting for her life.
She remained in the ICU for over a month before finally being transferred to a step-down unit.
Her progress, described by her family as “a miracle,” continues — but doctors say she will need at least one to two years of rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and specialized neurological care.
The crash did not just injure two athletes — it sent shockwaves through an entire university.
A Campus and Community in Mourning
From the moment of the accident, Cal State Fullerton students and athletes united in support of their teammates.
Throughout the season, soccer players wore custom wristbands embroidered with “LT5 – AG7”, honoring both Turner and Gwynn.
Coaches, faculty, and staff shared memories of Lauren’s leadership and joyful presence.
Students organized fundraisers, healing gatherings, and campus-wide memorials.
Leadership coach Ali Malaekeh told CBS:
“When we got news of this incident, a part of me died. These girls were like family.”
Turner’s GoFundMe campaign exceeded $105,000, reflecting the enormous outpouring of love from the community.
Gwynn’s fundraiser climbed toward $70,000 — a testament to the support surrounding these young women and their families.
Even rival schools reached out, posting messages of sympathy, wearing purple ribbons, and sending care packages.
Lauren’s passing became a collective grief felt beyond her team — stretching across the athletic department, the campus, and far into the wider Fullerton community.
A Safety Policy Inspired by Loss
In the weeks following the accident, Cal State Fullerton head coach Demian Brown made a decision he hopes will save lives in the future:
a mandatory helmet requirement for all soccer players riding electric scooters.
Brown explained that this policy reflects a growing trend among college athletic programs across the country.
“So many schools, so many programs have initiated their own helmet rules for their teams,” Brown said.
“If anything good can come out of this tragedy, we want it to be the safety of another student, another athlete, another teammate.”
The goal is simple — to ensure that no team ever has to endure a loss like this again.
A Legacy That Lives On
Lauren Turner was only 19 years old, but the legacy she leaves behind stretches far beyond statistics or athletic achievements.
She leaves behind a legacy of joy, laughter, leadership, kindness, and light.
Her family expressed it beautifully:
“Her laughter was a reflection of the joy God placed in her heart.”
She was the teammate who made practice fun.
The friend who made others feel welcomed.
The daughter who brought endless pride.
The athlete who inspired others with her work ethic and passion.
Her absence will be felt in locker rooms, on practice fields, in classrooms, and in every corner of the community she touched.
But her spirit — full of energy, kindness, and love — will remain forever.
Her team’s final tribute said it best:
“Our No. 5. Forever.”