Judge keeps Olson jailed; family honors Lauryn

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK) — A Charlotte County judge ordered the man accused of causing a deadly wrong-way crash on Interstate 75 to remain behind bars Wednesday, while the family of 21-year-old Lauryn Akey focused on remembering the life they say was filled with kindness, love and promise.

Dennis Lee Olson, 53, appeared in court for a pretrial detention hearing. The judge granted the State’s motion for pretrial detention, ordering Olson held without bond on the DUI manslaughter charge.

Prosecutors argued there is a substantial probability Olson committed DUI manslaughter and poses a threat to the community. During the hearing, prosecutors referenced Olson’s prior DUI conviction in Minnesota and allegations he was driving the wrong way on Interstate 75 before the crash.

The State also indicated additional DUI-related charges may be pursued.

Olson had previously posted bond on other counts but will remain in jail because of the pretrial detention order. He currently faces charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. His arraignment is scheduled for June 15.

Akey’s family attended Wednesday’s hearing in person, while other relatives joined remotely on Zoom.

After court, Akey’s mother, Melinda Mucho, said she hopes people remember her daughter for the way she treated others rather than the circumstances surrounding her death.

“I just want everyone to know who she is and her spirit, and how she loved everyone,” Mucho said.

Friends have begun sharing the message #LoveLikeLauryn, a tribute her family says reflects the way she lived her life.

Mucho described her daughter as someone who brought people together, loved deeply and embraced every opportunity in front of her.

“I don’t want to focus on that right now,” Mucho said of the crash. “I want to focus on, be like her.”

Family members said Akey loved fishing, spending time on the water and attending concerts with friends. After moving to Florida from Illinois three years ago, they say she embraced the Sunshine State and flourished.

She was preparing to begin her senior year at USF, where she studied exercise science and planned to pursue nursing through an accelerated program after graduation.

A former college roommate previously described Akey as “the kindest soul I have ever met,” saying she always made people feel included and was quick to help others through difficult times.

Mucho hopes those memories are what people take away from Lauryn’s story.

“If you have something in your soul that you feel like you need to do, do it,” she said. “She did.”

As the criminal case against Olson moves forward, Lauryn’s family says they will continue encouraging others to share the message #LoveLikeLauryn and remember the impact they say she had on everyone around her.