I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic accident on September 23rd that critically injured Texas Tech student Justin Turner. As more details emerged in the following days about 21-year-old Justin’s condition and his heartbreaking death on September 26th, I felt great sympathy for his family and friends. Losing a child – especially in such an abrupt, senseless way – must be agonizing beyond words. My heart goes out to Justin’s parents as they grieve the loss of their only son.
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As I learned more about Justin and the tremendous outpouring of support from the Texas Tech and Lubbock communities, I was moved by how many lives he touched in his 21 years. Though his time on this earth was far too brief, Justin Turner leaves behind an inspirational legacy of unwavering friendship, vibrant spirit, and selfless heroism.
The Tragic Accident
The accident that caused Justin Turner‘s untimely death occurred around 10 pm on September 23rd near the intersection of University Avenue and North Overton in Lubbock. According to the Lubbock Police Department’s initial investigation, Justin was standing on the east side of University Avenue when 20-year-old Raven Barrow, driving north, struck him with her passenger car as he attempted to run across the street. The details surrounding why Justin chose to run across the busy avenue remain unclear.
Justin likely did not see Raven’s oncoming car in time to avoid the collision. As a Texas Tech student familiar with Lubbock, I speculate that Justin may have been hurriedly trying to get to an off-campus destination like a friend’s house or local bar. College students often dart across streets on busy weekends without much forethought, tragically putting themselves and drivers in dangerous situations. Alternatively, it is possible Justin was distracted by something that caused him to recklessly run across University Avenue into oncoming traffic.
Whatever the reason, the result was devastating. Justin sustained massive head trauma and a severe brain injury. First responders rushed him to University Medical Center where he remained in critical condition. Doctors soon declared his brain injury life-threatening as his condition worsened over the next three days. His anguished parents faced the excruciating decision to end Justin’s life support on September 26th. Their only consolation was the solace that Justin’s organ donation allowed him to save other lives even as he lost his own.
Rallying Around Justin
Immediately after Justin’s accident, his family and friends rallied together to offer emotional support and raise money to help cover his extensive medical bills. His close friend Dalton Blandford took the lead by starting a GoFundMe on behalf of Justin’s mother, Janice Turner. In the fundraiser description, Dalton wrote passionately about Justin’s “unwavering spirit” and all the “undeniable” impact he made on his friends’ lives. Dalton pleaded for donations to help Justin’s family shoulder the “incredibly challenging” costs related to his treatment and long recovery ahead.
The GoFundMe quickly exceeded its $50,000 goal as over 1,300 donors contributed more than $42,000. This outpouring demonstrated how broadly beloved Justin was by classmates, fraternity brothers, and Lubbock residents alike.
Additionally, Justin’s father Jim Turner posted several raw, emotional updates on Facebook over the three excruciating days his son spent in critical condition and ultimately succumbed to his injuries. In his first post after the accident, Jim asked for prayers and described Justin’s severe brain trauma. The next day, he shared the grim prognosis that only a miracle could save his son now. Jim wrote to express immense gratitude for the flood of supportive messages, emphasizing how overwhelmed he and Janice felt by this display of love. After Justin’s passing, Jim posted again to share that difficult goodbye but take solace in the silver lining that Justin’s donated organs would let him “enter the kingdom a hero.”
Honoring Justin’s Vibrant Life
Following Justin’s death on September 26th, Texas Tech’s Greek community organized several moving tributes to honor his tragically short but brightly-lived life. Hundreds gathered at a candlelight vigil outside the Sigma Chi fraternity house as Justin’s brothers memorialized his loyalty, smile that “lit up a room”, and the unbreakable bonds he forged with his wide circle of friends. His fraternity president Peyton Hanna remembered Justin bursting with “positive energy” and always “putting his brothers first.”
As the heartfelt stories poured out about Justin’s magnetic personality and his talent for deepening friendships, his father Jim gained some comforting perspective on the immense impact his son made in just 21 years. Jim shared his profound pride in learning how Justin “succeeded so hard” at forming the meaningful brotherhood bonds and relationships that would withstand this tragedy. While the pain of losing his only child so suddenly was excruciating, Jim found solace in the testaments of Justin’s fraternity brothers about the unparalleled friend they saw in him.
Additionally, Justin’s Sigma Chi chapter announced plans to memorialize him with an endowed scholarship fund in his name. This will allow Justin’s spirit of service and brotherhood to live on by helping future members afford fraternity membership. After reflecting more on Justin’s cut too short life brimming with promise, I felt donating to this scholarship was one small way I could contribute to his legacy at Texas Tech.
Lingering Questions
In the wake of this tragedy, many in the Texas Tech community are left grappling with lingering questions about what exactly caused Justin Turner’s fatal collision. The initial statement from the Lubbock Police Department indicated the investigation was ongoing but implied that Justin’s impulsive decision to run across the busy street led to the accident. However, some of Justin’s friends and family members have expressed confusion about what compelled the outgoing, athletic 21-year old to make such a reckless choice.
I certainly wondered if alcohol may have been a factor in distorting Justin’s judgment or reflexes when crossing University Avenue that night. Lubbock Police have not released any toxicology reports indicating Justin had been drinking before the incident.
However, considering nearly half of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol intoxication, it seems plausible drinking could have played a role. Many college students tragically assume they can navigate dangerous situations while impaired without consequences catching up to them. However, toxicology results or new information may eventually provide more definitive context about causation factors.
Another lingering question surrounding the accident is whether the driver, 20-year-old Raven Barrows, bears any responsibility for the collision through negligence, distraction, speeding or other improper actions. Police statements have not indicated Raven was at fault thus far, but have also shared few specifics about her driving or response during the incident.
Justin’s loved ones deserve answers about whether Raven was alert, driving the speed limit, and attempted evasive maneuvers as Justin crossed her path. Some degree of driver accountability could bring Justin’s supporters measure of closure and restored faith in justice being served. Time will tell if the final accident investigation report shifts any culpability to Raven once all evidence is thoroughly reviewed.
Preventing Future Tragedy
While speculating about causation factors or potential blame offers little comfort, Justin Turner’s heartbreaking accident has prompted passionate discussion about preventing such tragedies going forward. Texas Tech administrators, Lubbock community leaders, and conscientious students themselves are rightfully exploring more protective infrastructure changes, public awareness campaigns, and safety education forums across campus. Any progress toward reducing impaired driving, distractions near busy roads, and reckless jaywalking could help save young lives and prevent shattered families like the Turners.
After deeply reflecting on Justin Turner’s tragic death, I found myself committing to being more proactive about safety instead of assuming invincibility like many 21-year-olds.
I signed a sober driving pledge and also joined an campus organization, Raising Awareness for Pedestrian Safety (RAPS), that advocates for crosswalk light installation and hosts engaging education events.
Small actions like these align with the passionate, protective character I saw in Justin Turner through accounts from friends.Justin was fiercely devoted to his family, fraternity, and bright future goals – if he had survived this accident, I believe he would be similarly committed to preventing such devastating harm.
While I wish Justin had his whole life ahead to undertake this advocacy himself, those who loved him now feel duty-bound carry forth his spirit by fighting for change. We all learned the hard way that tragedy cuts deepest when lives overflowing with promise are lost seemingly without reason. Though nothing can undo our collective heartbreak over Justin’s accident, channeling this pain toward a purposeful mission of safety and compassion ultimately creates meaning from loss. Justin deserves this lasting tribute for the selfless, heroic life he led – and the many lives he will continue impacting through others’ renewed sense of moral obligation.
Campus & Community Response
- Texas Tech administrators pledged infrastructure updates like more visible pedestrian crosswalk signals, barriers along busy roads, and better-lit walkways to protect students walking at night.
- The City of Lubbock fast-tracked plans to redesign the section of University Avenue where Justin was struck to improve visibility and install speed radar systems alerting drivers exceeding safe limits near campus.
- Student safety advocacy groups like Raising Awareness for Pedestrian Safety (RAPS) gained renewed campus attention and participation. RAPS volunteers now host safety fairs and spread awareness through attention-grabbing demonstrations about carefully crossing streets – especially while distracted or intoxicated.
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Personal Pledges
After soul-searching on what I can do individually to prevent similar heartbreak, I have taken the following steps:
- Signed campus pledges to intervene when friends attempt driving while impaired and offer safe rides instead
- Committed to putting my phone away while walking/driving and never jaywalking even when late
- Started volunteering with RAPS to continue Justin’s legacy through life-saving outreach and education
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