Lauren Turner, a 19-year-old sophomore and standout defensive midfielder for Cal State Fullerton’s women’s soccer team, died on November 7, nearly six weeks after a scooter crash with teammate Ashlyn Gwynn. Both were struck by a box truck near campus; Turner never regained consciousness. Her family shared on GoFundMe: “Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever changed. We will miss her beyond measure, yet we take great comfort in knowing she is now in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Those who knew Lauren remember her as a bright presence. Her family 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.” A proven starter by her sophomore year, Turner’s impact on the Titans was profound. The team honored her: “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. We love you Lauren, our No. 5 Forever.”

The crash occurred on September 27 around 7 p.m. while the girls rode scooters to a men’s soccer match. Police reported they were not wearing helmets, and no drugs or alcohol were involved. Turner suffered catastrophic head trauma; Gwynn spent a month in ICU and faces 1–2 years of rehabilitation.

In response, CSUF instituted a helmet rule for all players riding scooters. Coach Demian Brown said, “If anything can come out of this, let it be preventing something like this from happening somewhere else.”

Lauren’s legacy extends beyond sports: her laughter, kindness, and leadership continue to inspire teammates and the Titan community. Her spirit lives on in every player who steps onto the field wearing her No. 5.