A devastating drunk driving crash on I-75 in Charlotte County, Florida, on May 17, claimed the life of 21-year-old Lauryn Akey, a University of South Florida student, and seriously injured three others. Dennis Lee Olson, 53, has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal collision.
"She would have done amazing things. Her life was just on the horizon; her life was just getting started with her boyfriend. She was going to graduate next year, and I want everyone to see her and feel that." — Melinda Mucho, Mother of Lauryn Akey
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the incident occurred at approximately 1:09 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 149. Authorities state that Olson was driving his Ford F-150 pickup truck south in the northbound lanes, exhibiting extremely dangerous behavior on the highway. Surveillance footage released by FHP reportedly shows Olson making an improper U-turn and then traveling the wrong way down I-75 moments before the deadly sequence of events.
The FHP report details that Olson first sideswiped a Kia Optima before continuing his hazardous course. He then collided head-on with Akey’s Honda CR-V. The impact of the collision was so severe that Akey was ejected from her vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash's violence extended beyond Akey's vehicle; a woman and two children from Arcadia, traveling in a separate vehicle, sustained serious injuries, with one child requiring surgery.
Witnesses quickly flagged down help following the crash. One witness identified Olson as the driver of the F-150, telling investigators that he was still behind the wheel immediately after the crash and exhibited slurred speech. When troopers approached Olson, he admitted to driving but stated he was having a "bad night." Olson informed investigators he remembered coming from a place called "Sip & Sizzle," having one glass of wine, and driving his truck home, but claimed no memory of the crash itself.
However, subsequent medical tests contradicted Olson's account of his alcohol consumption. A hospital blood alcohol test showed Olson’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was .222, significantly above Florida's legal limit of .08. Nearly six hours after the crash, Olson provided breath samples at the Charlotte County Jail, which registered .087 and .079. Further investigation revealed that Olson has a previous drunk driving conviction in Minnesota, where he was also cited for driving the wrong way down a road.
Lauryn Akey was a straight-A student at USF, just one year away from earning her degree and pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. Her mother, Melinda Mucho, shared her profound grief and memories of her daughter with FOX13 News. "She would have done amazing things. Her life was just on the horizon; her life was just getting started with her boyfriend. She was going to graduate next year, and I want everyone to see her and feel that," Mucho stated. She added, "You can feel it by looking at her smile. I want everyone to see her and be like her. She was never mean to anybody. She brought people together, so many people together."
Moments before the crash, Akey had sent a text message to her loved ones, expressing her love and stating she would be home shortly after stopping for gas. She never made it. Her boyfriend, Garrett Day, posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, featuring photos of the couple engaged in activities like fishing, gaming, and road trips. Day's post concluded with hashtags #LoveLikeLauryn and #DontDrinkAndDrive, writing, "Rest in paradise my love, I hope you’re holding your pink fishing pole tight catching every fish you ever wanted to." Friends of Akey initiated the #LoveLikeLauryn hashtag on social media to honor her memory, a movement that has quickly gained traction, drawing tributes from individuals across Florida and beyond.
Dennis Lee Olson informed the judge that he lost his job following the crash and could no longer afford legal representation, leading to the assignment of a public defender. He is currently being held without bond in Charlotte County on charges that include DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Olson's arraignment is scheduled for June 15, where he will formally respond to the charges against him. The community continues to mourn the loss of Lauryn Akey and grapple with the tragic consequences of drunk driving.
