NewsFOX 13 Tampa BayAugust 31, 2026Hillsborough
USF community plants memorial tree for nursing student Lauryn Akey
Friends, family, and classmates gathered at the University of South Florida to plant an evergreen oak tree in memory of nursing student Lauryn Akey. Akey was killed in May by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 75 in Charlotte County.
Read the full story at FOX 13 Tampa BayWhy It Matters
The event marks a community memorial effort following a fatal traffic incident involving a nursing student at the university.
Key Facts
- A memorial evergreen oak tree was planted outside the Physical Education building at the USF campus.
- The tree planting was organized by the USF Exercise Science Department.
- Lauryn Akey was a nursing student who died in a wrong-way driving crash in May.
- The crash occurred on Interstate 75 in Charlotte County.
- The Florida Highway Patrol identified the other driver as Dennis Olson and stated he was intoxicated at the time of the collision.
- Melinda Mucho established the Love Like Lauryn Foundation following the incident.
Who's Mentioned
personLauryn Akey“Nursing student killed in a traffic accident.”locationCharlotte County“County where the accident occurred.”personDennis Olson“Driver involved in the fatal crash.”organizationFlorida Highway Patrol“Agency that investigated the crash.”personMelinda Mucho“Mother of Lauryn Akey and founder of the Love Like Lauryn Foundation.”locationInterstate 75“Location of the fatal accident.”organizationUniversity of South Florida“Location of the memorial tree planting.”