Lauryn Marie Akey, 21, a University of South Florida student from Bradenton, was killed in a wrong‑way DUI crash on Interstate 75 near mile marker 150 in Charlotte County, Florida, around 1:13 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The driver, 53‑year‑old Dennis Lee Olson of Sarasota, was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
Troopers reported that Olson was driving a Ford F‑150 southbound in the northbound lanes of I‑75 when he first collided with a Kia Optima carrying a woman and two boys, ages 12 and 15, from Arcadia. All three suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized.
Olson’s truck then struck Akey’s Honda CR‑V head‑on, ejecting her from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth vehicle, a Tesla Model 3, later struck debris from the crash but its driver was not injured.
Investigators determined Olson’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.222, nearly three times Florida’s legal limit. Witnesses said he appeared heavily intoxicated, slurring his speech as he was helped from his truck.
Olson allegedly told troopers he had only consumed one glass of wine and was returning home from the Sip & Sizzle restaurant in Fort Myers. He was hospitalized for minor injuries, then booked into Charlotte County Jail, where a judge denied him bond.
Just minutes before the crash, Lauryn had stopped for gas and texted her family: “I love you, I’ll be home soon.” She was returning from a friend’s wedding in Charlotte County. Her mother, Melinda Mucho, said Lauryn was preparing to enter her senior year at USF, majoring in exercise science, with plans to become a nurse. Loved ones described her as kind, joyful, and deeply caring, with a passion for helping others.
Her obituary notes that Lauryn graduated from Rochelle Township High School in Illinois before moving to Florida. She was a cheerleader in high school and loved fishing, sunsets, and her three dogs. She was affectionately called “Sissy” by her younger brothers. A celebration of life service was scheduled for May 30, 2026, at Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, with attendees asked to wear bright colors to honor her vibrant personality.
In the wake of her death, friends and family launched the social media movement #LoveLikeLauryn, encouraging people to embody her kindness and positivity. Tributes have poured in from classmates, friends, and her boyfriend, Garrett Day, who shared memories of their time together fishing, traveling, and attending concerts. Her family hopes her legacy will inspire others to live with compassion and to remember the dangers of impaired driving.
