Orlando Teen Faces DUI Charges After Wrong-Way Crash on I-75

A 19-year-old Orlando man is facing multiple charges, including driving under the influence and driving on the wrong side of a divided highway, following a wrong-way crash on Interstate 75 in Alachua County. The incident unfolded just before 2:30 a.m. near State Road 26, resulting in a collision with a pickup truck.

Troopers identified the suspect as Gabriel Alexander Markaj, who now confronts an array of criminal counts following the collision.

The sequence of events began when law enforcement received reports of a wrong-way vehicle heading south on the northbound lanes of I-75, prompting authorities to issue a lookout alert for a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, according to News 6 news partner WJXT. Moments later, the Jetta collided with a 2018 Dodge Ram just before 2:30 a.m. near State Road 26.

Dashcam Footage Captures Close Call on I-75

Investigators stated that the collision was captured on a dashcam from the pick-up truck. The video footage showed the Volkswagen Jetta weaving across multiple lanes while traveling south on the northbound side of the interstate.

The driver of the 2018 Dodge Ram, who was operating the vehicle in the center lane of the northbound side, swerved to evade the oncoming hazard. Despite those efforts, the front right of the Jetta struck the right rear of the pickup truck.

The force of the impact sent the Dodge Ram spinning across the State Road 26 off-ramp. The truck ultimately came to a rest, blocking a portion of the roadway. Troopers confirmed that no one sustained injuries in the crash.

Breath Test Results and Specific Charges Filed

Following the collision, law enforcement administered breath tests to the driver. According to state troopers, Gabriel Alexander Markaj provided two breath samples that registered .190 and .176.

Photo: clickorlando.com

The suspect was booked on several specific charges detailed in the official arrest record:

• Driving on Wrong Side of Divided Highway (316.090(1))
• DUI – Alcohol .150 or Higher (316.193(4))
• Unauthorized Use/Possession of an Altered Driver License or ID Card (322.212(5)(b))
• DUI – Property Damage/Personal Injury (316.193(3)(c)1)

Court proceedings will determine how the case moves forward through the Alachua County legal system.

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