Authorities said the driver accused in the collision had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — A 21-year-old University of South Florida student was killed early May 17 after investigators said a wrong-way driver struck her SUV on Interstate 75 while she was returning home from a wedding, leading to felony DUI manslaughter charges against a 53-year-old man.
The crash has drawn attention across Florida after investigators said the driver accused of causing the collision had a blood alcohol level of 0.222 and a prior drunken-driving conviction. Family members said Lauryn Akey had just texted loved ones to say she was almost home when the crash happened shortly after 1 a.m. Prosecutors are now pursuing multiple charges against Dennis Lee Olson, who remains jailed without bond as state troopers continue reconstructing the deadly collision.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators said Akey had been driving north on Interstate 75 after attending a friend’s wedding in southwest Florida. Authorities said Olson, driving a Ford F-150 pickup, entered the northbound lanes traveling southbound after making an improper U-turn near the highway median. Troopers said Olson first sideswiped another vehicle carrying a woman and two children before continuing in the wrong direction and colliding head-on with Akey’s Honda CR-V. The impact ejected Akey from the SUV, and emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigators said the collision shut down portions of Interstate 75 for several hours while crews documented debris fields and examined skid marks. According to investigators, Olson was transported to a hospital with injuries before being arrested later that morning. “She texted us saying she loved us and was almost home,” Akey’s family said in statements shared through relatives after the crash.
Investigators said witnesses at the scene reported Olson appeared disoriented and smelled strongly of alcohol after the collision. One witness told troopers Olson’s speech was slurred as bystanders helped him out of the damaged pickup truck. According to the arrest affidavit, Olson later told investigators he had been having a “bad night” and recalled attending a “Sip & Sizzle” gathering before driving. Authorities said Olson claimed he did not remember the crash itself. Blood testing conducted after the collision measured his alcohol concentration at 0.222, nearly three times Florida’s legal limit of 0.08. Court records show Olson previously had a drunken-driving conviction in Minnesota, a detail prosecutors cited during a recent bond hearing. A Charlotte County judge denied bond, ruling that Olson posed a danger to the community while the criminal case proceeds. In addition to DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges tied to Akey’s death, Olson also faces charges connected to the earlier crash involving the other vehicle. The woman and two children injured in that collision survived, though authorities have not released updated information about their medical conditions.
Akey’s death prompted an outpouring of grief across the University of South Florida community and among friends in Lakewood Ranch, where she lived with family. Relatives described her as energetic, compassionate and deeply committed to becoming a nurse. Friends said she enjoyed fishing, spending time outdoors and attending concerts, including performances by Taylor Swift. Social media tributes quickly spread under the phrase “Love Like Lauryn,” which family members adopted as a way to celebrate what they described as her generosity and optimism. A celebration of life service was scheduled for May 30 at Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, where attendees were encouraged to wear bright colors instead of traditional black clothing. The case also renewed debate in Florida over repeat DUI offenders and wrong-way crashes on major highways. According to state transportation data, wrong-way collisions remain relatively rare but often lead to severe or fatal injuries because of the high speeds involved in head-on impacts. Law enforcement agencies across Florida have increased monitoring systems on major interstate corridors in recent years in an effort to detect wrong-way drivers faster.
Prosecutors said Olson is expected to appear in court again on June 15 for arraignment proceedings in Charlotte County. During the hearing, attorneys are expected to address formal pleas, evidence disclosure schedules and future court dates tied to the felony charges. Florida Highway Patrol investigators said they are continuing to review surveillance footage, witness statements and crash reconstruction evidence to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the collision. Authorities recently released video footage that investigators said showed Olson’s vehicle making the improper maneuver before entering opposing lanes of traffic. Officials have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed. Prosecutors also have not released details about whether Olson had consumed alcohol at a licensed establishment before the crash or whether any civil litigation has been initiated by Akey’s family. Investigators said toxicology and crash reconstruction reports are still pending and may be introduced later in court proceedings.
Outside the courtroom, relatives and classmates described Akey as someone who routinely checked on friends and stayed closely connected with family members. Several friends gathered near the crash site days later to leave flowers, handwritten notes and candles along the roadside barrier. “She made people feel important the moment she talked to them,” one longtime friend said during a memorial gathering. Family members said the final text message Akey sent before the collision has become especially painful in the aftermath of her death because it reflected an ordinary moment at the end of a celebration. Community members across southwest Florida have shared photographs and memories online, many focusing on Akey’s plans to graduate the following year and begin a nursing career. At the memorial events, mourners repeatedly emphasized the suddenness of the crash and the lasting effect the loss has had on classmates, coworkers and relatives.
The criminal case against Olson remains active as investigators finalize evidence and prosecutors prepare for upcoming court proceedings. Akey’s family plans to continue memorial events in the coming weeks, while authorities said additional investigative findings could be released before Olson’s next scheduled appearance in June.
Author note: Last updated May 27, 2026.