Lauren Turner, 19, Cal State Fullerton student and member of the women’s soccer team, passed early Friday morning after battling injuries for over a month due to an accident involving a truck near campus.
Her father, Christopher Turner, posted an update through their GoFundMe page, thanking donors and sharing their memory of Lauren.
“Your kindness and support have helped sustain us during these unimaginable days, and we will forever carry that love with us,” Christopher Turner wrote. “Thank you for wrapping our family in your prayers and for lifting us up when our hearts are heavy.”
On Wednesday evening, Titan Athletics will be holding a vigil in honor of Turner.
“We are heartbroken for Lauren’s parents, siblings, all her loved ones and all in the Titan family who are processing this news,” the university wrote in a statement to the Daily Titan. “We encourage all in our campus community to make space and be gracious to one another during this difficult time. Please keep Lauren and her loved ones in your thoughts.”
The accident happened on Sept. 27 at the intersection of Associated Road and Yorba Linda Boulevard. Turner and Ashlyn Gwynn were both riding scooters southbound in the bike lane when the collision occurred.
On Oct. 30, Gwynn’s parents posted an update to the GoFundMe page, stating that Gwynn has been moved to a “Step Down” unit — an intermediate level care for close monitoring, where she’s going through several recovery therapies.
“Just one month ago her doctors couldn’t tell us whether she would survive,” Colleen Nettekoven, the page organizer, wrote on behalf of Gwynn’s parents. “We are witnessing a miracle in her healing right now and are blessed to still have her with us.”
The family aims to place Gwynn in the TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital’s rehabilitation program in Houston, where she would stay for around three to four weeks before moving into outpatient rehabilitation for an additional year or two.
The Fullerton Police Department currently has no updates regarding the investigation.
CSUF students can reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services on campus for mental health support. Employees and staff can seek support through the MyLifeMatters Care Center.
