21-year-old USF student killed by wrong-way driver on I-75 near mile marker 150

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A wrong-way crash on Interstate 75 early Sunday morning left a 21-year-old nursing student dead and a 19-year-old witness struggling with what she saw.

Florida Highway Patrol says 53-year-old Dennis Lee Olson drove his pickup south in the northbound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 150 around 1 a.m. Sunday. Lauryn Akey, a University of South Florida nursing student, was killed in the collision.

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Akey's family told WINK News reporter Gracie Fusco she was on her way home from a wedding when the crash occurred. They received a text from Lauryn saying she was almost home and that she loved them.

Akey's stepfather described her as a straight-A student at USF, majoring in nursing and about to start her senior year. He said she had a smile that lit every room and an amazing soul.

She had a boyfriend of two years and was excited to start her next chapter with him. A witness who was at the scene fought back tears while recounting the tragedy to Fusco.

Zoshia, the 19-year-old witness, was driving north on I-75 just after 1 a.m. when she noticed something unusual.

She told WINK News anchor Gracie Fusco what happened next.

"There's a lot of smoke in the air, and I slowed down. I got in the middle lane, and that's when I saw a truck in the ditch area," Zoshia said.

She slowed down and saw cars facing the wrong direction, debris everywhere and people crying for help. Zoshia said her car went through all the debris, and that's when she saw Akey.

"When I close my eyes, all I can hear are the screams," Zoshia said. Akey's family told WINK News she was on her way home from a wedding. They said they received a text from her moments before the crash, saying she was almost home and that she loved them.

"She would have been a lovely person to get to know, and she's gorgeous," Zoshia said.

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One of Akey's former college roommates described her as "the kindest soul I have ever met, so full of life, so kind, and always had the biggest smile." The roommate added that Akey "will be missed dearly."

Zoshia said the emotional impact has been harder than anything physical.

"I felt very happy and glad, but then sad as well, because I don't want anybody to go through what the lady went through," she said.

Olson is charged with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning.

He is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. FHP says the crash remains under investigation.