Craven was driving back to La Mesa from the San Diego Central Jail on the night of October 20, when she came upon a serious multi-vehicle collision on eastbound I-8 near Fairmont Avenue. She stopped to help the victims, radioed for assistance, and was struck by another vehicle in a chain-reaction crash. Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Nineteen-year-old De’Veonte Morris also died in the initial crash, and there is also a GoFundMe to raise funds for his family.
Described by her colleagues as courageous, compassionate, and deeply dedicated to public service, Officer Craven had joined the La Mesa Police Department in February 2024, fulfilling a lifelong goal to serve her community. She was inspired to pursue law enforcement after surviving a traumatic assault in college and being helped by a kind detective - an encounter that motivated her to “be that good cop for anyone who needs me,” her father, David Craven, said in interviews this week.
The La Mesa Police Department has established a verified Fund A Hero campaign through the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) to assist Craven’s family. The fundraiser, which has a goal of $75,000, will help cover memorial costs and provide financial support to her surviving loved ones. Donations can be made directly at PORAC’s Fund a Hero website under “Support the Family of Officer Lauren Craven.”
In addition to the online campaign, Casa Gabriela’s community fundraiser will give San Diegans a way to show support simply by dining out. Casa Gabriela opened in early 2023 under the direction of Chef Gabriela “Gaby” Lopez, whose menu celebrates the flavors of her family’s roots in Guadalajara, Nayarit, and Tijuana. On November 5, all food and beverage sales from 3:30-9pm will go directly to Officer Craven’s family. The restaurant hopes to raise over $20,000.
A procession honoring Officer Craven drew hundreds of officers and community members this week as her remains were escorted from the Medical Examiner’s office to El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley. She is survived by her parents, sister, and partner.
Casa Gabriela is located at 8384 La Mesa Boulevard in San Diego's East County city of La Mesa. For more information, visit casagabrielalamesa.com. Donations to the official PORAC “Fund A Hero” campaign can be made online at porac.org/fundraiser/officer-craven.
Originally published on October 23, 2025.
Originally published on October 23, 2025.