Lauren Turner, a sophomore on the Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team, died early morning Nov. 7 following a six-week battle for her life after being struck by a box truck while riding her scooter, according to the university's athletics department.
"Our hearts are broken, and our family is forever changed," Turner's family wrote in an update posted to the fundraising page. "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."
The collision left Turner with severe head trauma, according to her family, who wrote on the fundraising page that "seeing her in this condition is something no family can ever be prepared for."
During her time at Cal State Fullerton, Turner emerged as a versatile and dependable player who helped propel the team to its best start in program history this season. She appeared in 10 games and made eight starts in multiple positions, according to the athletics department. Her contributions were instrumental in the Titans' historic unbeaten start to 2025.
One of her standout performances came against Pittsburgh, where she played the full 90 minutes in the Titans' victory—only the second time in program history that Cal State Fullerton defeated an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.
Last season, Turner played in all 20 games and made four starts. She scored her first collegiate goal at home against UC Riverside. Over her career, she appeared in 30 games while wearing No. 5 for the Titans.
But teammates say her impact extended far beyond statistics.
"Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic, and loving teammate you could ever ask for," the 2025 Titans soccer team said in a statement released by the athletics department. "She was the first to celebrate other people's wins. She is the true definition of an amazing person."
Her family described her as "a beautiful, bright, strong, and determined young woman" whose passions included soccer, school, and her church community. They remembered her as someone who "approached everything she did with heart and joy," noting that "her laughter was a reflection of the joy God placed in her heart."
"She always carried herself with compassion, kindness, and happiness," her teammates said. "The impact she made on the Titans women's soccer program is immeasurable."
The GoFundMe campaign, which was monitored by Cal State Fullerton Athletics, raised more than $106,000 to help Turner's family cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and travel costs for her parents, Christopher and Christine, and her sisters, Nicolette and Victoria. The campaign had originally set a goal of $75,000.
Turner's teammates vowed never to forget their departed friend.
"She will be dearly missed by everyone but forever remembered by her Titan family," they said. "We love you Lauren, our No. 5 Forever."