A 21-year-old university student on the verge of graduating and starting her dream life sent a heartbreaking final text message to her family, promising to be home soon, just moments before she was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver driving the wrong way on a Florida highway.
Final Moments
Lauryn Akey, 21, sent the text after filling up her car following a friend's wedding in Charlotte County, Florida, in the early hours of May 17, according to legal documents obtained by Law & Crime. She told her family she loved them and would be home soon, unaware that her life would end minutes later due to the actions of Dennis Olson, 53.
Authorities released video footage showing the moments leading up to the crash. Olson drove his F-150 truck into Akey's Honda CR-V as he traveled south in the northbound lanes of Interstate 75. The impact threw Akey from her car, and she died at the scene around 1 a.m. on May 17.
Charges and Prior Incident
Olson has been charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. He later told Florida state troopers he was having a "bad night." A witness reported that Olson was slurring his speech as he was helped from his truck. His blood alcohol level was 0.222, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08.
Olson claimed he had only drunk a glass of wine that night and said he was returning from the Sip & Sizzle restaurant in Fort Myers. Shortly before hitting Akey, he reportedly sideswiped a Kia Optima carrying a woman and two children from Arcadia, Florida, when he turned into oncoming traffic. One of the children required surgery after that collision.
Grainy black-and-white footage from the Florida Highway Patrol shows Olson's car making a U-turn on the highway and driving in the wrong direction shortly before the crash.
Legal Proceedings
Online court records show Olson has been charged with one count each of negligent manslaughter in DUI causing death and vehicular homicide. He has pleaded not guilty. The 53-year-old has a prior conviction for driving while impaired in Minnesota after reportedly driving the wrong way down another road. He claims to have no recollection of the crash.
Victim's Dreams
Akey's mother, Melinda Mucho, told FOX13 News of her daughter's aspirations to become a nurse. The University of South Florida student was set to graduate next year with a degree in exercise science. "She would have done amazing things. Her life was just on the horizon; her life was just getting started with her boyfriend," Mucho said. "She was going to graduate next year, and I want everyone to see her and feel that."
Akey's boyfriend, Garrett Day, shared an emotional tribute on social media, including a video of the couple playing video games, fishing, and enjoying a road trip. "Rest in paradise my love, I hope you're holding your pink fishing pole tight catching every fish you ever wanted to," Day wrote. "Until I get to see you again hun."
Olson is being held without bail in Florida's Charlotte County. His next scheduled court date is June 15.
