A women’s soccer player at Cal State Fullerton university has died following nearly six weeks in the ICU after getting hit by a truck while riding an ex-scooter without a helmet.
Lauren Turner sustained a head injury when she was struck by the vehicle on September 27 while riding the scooter with a teammate, who was also hopsitalized with a life-threatening injury but is making what her family last month called a ‘miracle’ recovery.
Their university head coach said they were not wearing helmets at the time of the incident.
A statement from the university announcing Turner’s death said: ‘Lauren was the funniest, most charismatic and loving teammate you could ever ask for.
‘She was the first to celebrate other people’s wins. She is the true definition of an amazing person. She always carried herself with compassion, kindness and happiness.
‘The impact she made on the Titans women’s soccer program is immeasurable. She will be dearly missed by everyone but forever remembered by her Titan family. We love you Lauren, our No. 5 Forever.’
Lauren Turner, a soccer player at Cal State Fullerton university has died after a tragic accident
Turner was a highly-regarded defensive midfielder who overall played 30 times for her team
Her team are holding a candlelight vigil in honor at their soccer stadium on Wednesday evening.
Ashlyn Gwynn, the teammate who was hurt alongside Turner, is going through rehabilitation for her injuries.
Her parents said in a statement on a GoFundMe page launched to help cover medical costs that ‘we are witnessing a miracle in her healing’.
A page set up for Turner and her family has raised over $105,000 as of Tuesday monrning while the fundraiser for Gwynn’s recovery costs is nearly at $66,000.
Turner was from Tustin, Orange County and had forged a reputation as a key member of her team, starting eight of 10 games this season.
Overall, she played in 30 games for the college as a defensive midfielder.
And despite Gwynn’s family delivering good news on her recovery in late October, she still faces a long road.
She has started physical therapy, occupational therapy and swallow and speech therapy, they said.
‘Just one month ago her doctors couldn’t tell us whether she would survive,’ Gwynn’s family wrote, adding that even when she is eventually healthy enough to return home, she will ‘continue outpatient rehabilitation for 1-2 years.’
