- 21-year-old Lauryn Akey was killed by an alleged drunk driver on Interstate 75 just after texting her family she loved them.
- Dennis Olson, 53, was driving the wrong way with a blood alcohol level of 0.222, nearly three times the legal limit.
- Akey's family has started the hashtag #lovelikelauryn to honor her memory and raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA — Months after a Florida woman jumped on a car hood and attacked a pregnant driver, another Florida road case has ended in tragedy. This time, a 21-year-old college student was killed by an alleged drunk driver going the wrong way on Interstate 75, just minutes after texting her family that she loved them and was coming home.
Lauryn Akey, a University of South Florida student, was driving home from a friend’s wedding in the early hours of May 17. She had stopped for gas and sent her family a final message before getting back on the road.
Final Text Before the Crash
Akey told her family she loved them and would be home soon.
Minutes later, police say 53-year-old Dennis Olson drove his Ford F-150 southbound in the northbound lanes of I-75 and crashed into Akey’s Honda CR-V.
The crash happened around 1 a.m. The force of the impact threw Akey from her vehicle. She died at the scene.
Akey was studying at the University of South Florida and was expected to graduate next year with a degree in exercise science. Her family said she dreamed of becoming a nurse.
Driver Allegedly Nearly Three Times Legal Limit
According to investigators, Olson admitted to troopers that he was having a “bad night.”
A witness told police that Olson was slurring his speech after the crash. Troopers said his blood alcohol level was 0.222, nearly three times the legal limit.
Olson allegedly told authorities he had only drunk one glass of wine and was returning from a restaurant in Fort Myers.
Police also said Olson had already hit another vehicle before the crash that killed Akey. Investigators said he sideswiped a Kia Optima carrying a woman and two children after turning into oncoming traffic. One of the children later needed surgery.
Family Remembers Lauryn
Akey’s mother, Melinda Mucho, said her daughter’s life was just beginning. She said Lauryn would have done amazing things and had a bright future ahead of her.
Her family started the hashtag #lovelikelauryn to honor her memory.
Akey’s boyfriend, Garrett Day, also shared an emotional tribute online. He posted moments of them fishing, playing video games, and spending time together. He wrote that he hoped she was holding her pink fishing pole and catching every fish she ever wanted.
Charges Filed
Olson is facing charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter. He is being held without bond in Charlotte County.
Reports say he had a prior impaired driving conviction in Minnesota after allegedly driving the wrong way on a road.
His next court date is scheduled for June 15.
For Akey’s family, the case is now about justice and warning others about the danger of drinking and driving.
To view more cases involving deadly DUI crashes, wrong-way drivers, and road violence, check out our video here:
