US3 min(s) read
Published 13:53 26 May 2026 GMT
A college student who was killed by a drunk driver sent her family a heartbreaking message just moments before she died.
Lauryn Akey, 21, a University of South Florida student, passed away after Dennis Olson, 53, hit her Honda CR-V with his F-150 Truck, as she was driving home from a friend’s wedding in Charlotte County on May 17.
A witness said Olson was slurring his speech as he was retrieved from his truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Police then quickly discovered that he was nearly three times the legal limit, with a BAC of 0.222, despite claiming he had only drunk one glass of wine at the Sip & Sizzle in Fort Myers.
Olson now stands accused of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in the death of Lauryn Akey.
Driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 75, Olson hit Akey’s car with such force that she was sent flying out of the vehicle.
At around 1AM, she was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency service workers.
Heartbreakingly, just moments before the fatal crash, while getting gas, Akey sent several family members a message telling them that she loves them and she was almost home.
Set to graduate from college next year, Akey had dreams of becoming a nurse, according to an interview her mother, Melinda Mucho, did with FOX13 News.
She said: “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.
"You can look her up and see how loved she is.
"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. Loved hard, loved so hard."
Since her tragic death just weeks ago, Akey’s family and friends are honouring her caring nature and legacy across social media with the hashtag #lovelikelauryn.
Chillingly, this is not the first conviction for drunk driving that Olson has. The affidavit alleges that Olson "sideswiped" a car in Arcardia, Fla, reportedly injuring a woman and her two children as he turned into oncoming traffic. One of the children required surgery.
He is due to appear in court for Akey’s death on June 15.
