A 53-year-old man from Florida has been arrested after police said he drove the wrong way on a highway while drunk and caused a deadly crash that killed a 21-year-old woman.
Police identified the accused as Dennis Olson. He now faces charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in the death of Lauryn Akey.
Wrong-Way Crash on Highway
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened shortly after 1 a.m. on May 17 near mile marker 149 on Interstate 75 in Charlotte County.
Investigators said Olson was driving a Ford F-150 in the wrong direction on the northbound lanes of the highway.
Police said he first hit the side of a Kia Optima and continued driving before crashing head-on into Lauryn Akey’s Honda CR-V.
The impact threw Akey out of her vehicle, and she died at the scene.
Police Say Driver Was Drunk
Witnesses who helped Olson out of his truck reportedly noticed that he had slurred speech.
According to the arrest affidavit, Olson admitted he was driving and told officers he was having a “bad” night. He reportedly said he had come from a restaurant called Sip & Sizzle in Fort Myers, where he claimed he drank one glass of wine.
However, police later tested his blood and found his blood alcohol level was 0.222 — nearly three times higher than the legal limit.
After being treated at a hospital, Olson was taken to the Charlotte County Jail, where he remains without bond.
Victim Was Returning Home From Wedding
Lauryn Akey’s family said she was driving home after attending a wedding.
Before the crash, she had stopped for gas and texted her family that she loved them and was almost home. Minutes later, the fatal accident happened.
Her mother, Melinda Mucho, said Lauryn was studying exercise science at the University of South Florida and planned to become a nurse.
“She would have done amazing things,” her mother told reporters.
Friends Honor Lauryn Online
Friends and loved ones started the hashtag #lovelikelauryn on social media to remember her life and kindness.
Her family described her as someone who cared deeply for others and brought people together.
Previous Drunk Driving Conviction
Reports say Olson had an earlier drunk driving conviction in Minnesota involving another wrong-way driving incident.
His next court hearing in the Florida case is scheduled for June 15.
