Students and athletes at California State University Fullerton are preparing to gather on Wednesday for a candlelight vigil to honor the life of a soccer star who was hit by a box truck while traveling on an electric scooter.
Lauren Turner, a 19-year-old sophomore on CSU Fullerton’s soccer team, died Friday after spending weeks under intensive care, according to the university. She and her teammate, Ashlyn Gwynn, were riding electric scooters near campus on Sept. 27 when they were hit by a box truck.
“It has been rough, and I think as best as we can, our program, our athletic department, has leaned on each other to make sure we get through this together,” head coach Demian Brown said.
Turner died six weeks after she was hospitalized and Gwynn is recovering from her injuries and receiving physical therapy in Houston.
“Obviously, we’re thrilled and so excited for Ashlyn and all the recoveries she is making, but heartbroken and saddened that we lost Lauren,” Brown said.
A Tustin native, Turner was described as the “funniest, most charismatic, and loving teammate you could ever ask for,” the soccer team said in a statement.
“She was the first to celebrate other people’s wins. She is the true definition of an amazing person,” the statement continued. “She always carried herself with compassion, kindness, and happiness. The impact she made on the Titans women’s soccer program is immeasurable.”
Brown echoed those sentiments, describing the athlete as “the funniest person you would have ever wanted to be around.”
“Just a great human being, genuine, comfortable in herself, which made you comfortable with yourself,” the coach said.
The teen’s family started an online fundraiser in Turner’s memory.