19-Year-Old Orlando Driver Charged With DUI After Wrong-Way I-75 Crash in Alachua County

A 19-year-old Orlando driver was arrested early Monday after authorities say he drove the wrong way on Interstate 75 and collided with another vehicle in Alachua County.

The September 14, 2026 crash happened at approximately 2:27 a.m. on northbound I-75 near mile marker 387, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers identified the driver as Gabriel Alexander Markaj. According to FHP’s preliminary investigation, Markaj was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-75 and weaving across multiple lanes before the collision.

The driver of another vehicle traveling north attempted to avoid the approaching vehicle by changing lanes and steering left. Despite the evasive maneuver, FHP said the front right of Markaj’s vehicle struck the right rear of the other vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

Troopers said Markaj was arrested and transported to the Alachua County Jail, where two breath samples registered 0.190 and 0.176.

He was cited for multiple alleged violations, including DUI with an alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, driving on the wrong side of a divided highway, DUI involving property damage or personal injury, and unauthorized use or possession of an altered driver’s license or identification card.

What Happened in the I-75 Wrong-Way Crash?

According to FHP, Markaj was driving south in the northbound lanes of I-75 near mile marker 387.

Troopers said the vehicle was also weaving across multiple lanes.

Another driver was traveling north in the center lane when the wrong-way vehicle approached. FHP reported that the northbound driver attempted to avoid the collision by changing lanes and steering left.

Despite those efforts, the wrong-way vehicle continued toward the other vehicle, and its front-right section struck the right rear of the northbound vehicle.

After the impact, Markaj’s vehicle came to rest facing south in the left northbound travel lane with damage to its front-right section.

The second vehicle rotated clockwise and stopped facing south while partially blocking the northbound State Road 26 off-ramp.

No injuries were reported.

Troopers Received Wrong-Way Driver Reports Before the Crash

FHP had reportedly received calls about a wrong-way driver on I-75 before the collision occurred.

Troopers issued a BOLO, or “be on the lookout,” alert for the vehicle.

That timeline may provide additional evidence regarding how long the vehicle was traveling in the wrong direction before the crash.

Potentially relevant evidence could include the initial 911 calls, dispatch records, law enforcement communications and observations from motorists who encountered the vehicle before the collision.

Dash Camera Captured the Crash

The driver of the northbound vehicle provided dash camera footage to FHP for evidentiary review.

That footage could be particularly important because it may provide an objective record of the vehicles’ movements immediately before impact.

According to troopers, the footage showed the wrong-way vehicle traveling south in the northbound lanes and weaving across multiple lanes.

It also reportedly captured the northbound driver’s attempt to avoid the collision.

Dash camera footage may help investigators establish lane positions, vehicle movements, the timing of the evasive maneuver and how quickly the wrong-way vehicle approached.

Florida Law Prohibits Driving the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway

Markaj was cited under Fla. Stat. § 316.090(1), which governs travel on divided highways.

Florida law generally prohibits driving over, across or within the dividing space, barrier or section separating opposing traffic on a divided highway except at authorized locations.

Wrong-way driving on an interstate creates an especially serious risk because vehicles traveling legally may encounter an approaching vehicle at highway speeds with little time to respond.

Here, FHP reported that the other driver attempted to evade the wrong-way vehicle before the collision occurred.

Breath Samples Reportedly Registered 0.190 and 0.176

Following his arrest, Markaj was transported to the Alachua County Jail.

FHP reported that he provided two breath samples registering 0.190 and 0.176.

He was cited under Fla. Stat. § 316.193(4) for DUI involving an alcohol level of 0.15 or higher.

Florida’s general unlawful blood- or breath-alcohol threshold for driving is 0.08. A reported alcohol level of 0.15 or higher can result in enhanced penalties if the allegation is ultimately proven.

Markaj has been accused of these offenses, and the charges remain allegations unless and until established through the legal process.

Additional Charges Filed After the Crash

According to FHP, Markaj was cited for:

• Driving on the wrong side of a divided highway under Fla. Stat. § 316.090(1)
• DUI with an alcohol level of 0.15 or higher under Fla. Stat. § 316.193(4)
• Unauthorized use or possession of an altered driver’s license or identification card under Fla. Stat. § 322.212(5)(b)
• DUI involving property damage or personal injury under Fla. Stat. § 316.193(3)(c)1

The criminal proceedings are separate from any potential civil claims arising from the collision.

An arrest or citation does not by itself establish civil liability, although evidence developed during a criminal investigation can also become relevant in a civil case.

Other Driver Reportedly Took Evasive Action

One important aspect of the crash is FHP’s description of the other driver’s response.

Troopers said the northbound driver attempted to avoid Markaj’s vehicle by changing lanes and steering left.

Drivers confronted by a wrong-way vehicle may have only seconds to recognize the danger and choose how to react.

The dash camera footage could help establish when the driver first had an opportunity to see the approaching vehicle and whether there was any realistic way to avoid the collision completely.

The fact that the collision involved the right rear of the northbound vehicle rather than a direct head-on impact may also be relevant to reconstructing the driver’s evasive maneuver.

Criminal DUI Charges and Civil Liability Are Different

A criminal DUI prosecution and a civil motor vehicle claim involve different legal questions and standards.

Prosecutors must prove criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

A civil case instead examines whether someone’s negligent or wrongful conduct caused legally compensable losses.

Evidence of alleged impairment, wrong-way driving, vehicle movements and the other driver’s attempt to avoid the crash could potentially become relevant to a civil claim.

No injuries were reported in this collision, but property damage claims may still arise.

Property Damage Claims After a Wrong-Way Crash

A collision does not have to cause physical injuries to result in compensable losses.

Depending on the circumstances and available insurance coverage, a property damage claim may potentially involve vehicle repairs, replacement value if a vehicle is declared a total loss, towing, storage, rental transportation and other documented expenses.

The northbound vehicle reportedly rotated after impact and came to rest partially blocking the State Road 26 off-ramp.

The extent of the damage has not been released.

Evidence in the Alachua County Investigation

The investigation may involve several sources of evidence, including:

• Dash camera footage provided by the other driver
• 911 calls reporting the wrong-way vehicle
• FHP BOLO and dispatch records
• Breath-test results
• Body camera footage
• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Event data recorder information
• Vehicle damage
• Tire marks and roadway debris
• Witness statements
• Toxicology evidence, if additional testing was performed

Together, those records may help establish the timeline from the initial wrong-way driver reports through the collision and subsequent arrest.

Wrong-Way I-75 Crash Remains Under Investigation

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the September 14 collision on northbound I-75 near mile marker 387 in Alachua County.

Troopers said 19-year-old Gabriel Alexander Markaj was traveling south in the northbound lanes and weaving across multiple lanes before colliding with another vehicle whose driver attempted to take evasive action.

No injuries were reported.

FHP said Markaj was arrested and transported to the Alachua County Jail, where breath samples registered 0.190 and 0.176. He was cited for multiple alleged violations, including DUI and driving on the wrong side of a divided highway.

The charges against Markaj remain allegations and will be resolved through the court process.