Mackenzie Shirilla, 17 at the time, was sentenced to two concurrent 15-year-to-life terms after deliberately crashing her car into a brick wall in Strongsville, Ohio, killing her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and their friend, Davion Flanagan, 19. The case is featured in the Netflix documentary The Crash.
Details of the Crash
Shirilla was reportedly driving her 2018 Toyota Camry at nearly 100 miles per hour. First responders described the scene as “the worst [they’ve] ever seen,” and used the jaws of life to extract Shirilla from the vehicle. A helicopter transported her to the hospital while Russo and Flanagan were pronounced dead at the scene.
Arrest and Behavior
Shirilla was arrested on November 7, 2022, and charged with two counts of aggravated murder, aggravated vehicular assault, and additional counts. Bodycam footage shows she was concerned about her jewelry when handcuffed and displayed unusual behavior, speaking in a “unique language” similar to gibberish during initial questioning.
Investigation and Evidence
Data from Flanagan’s Life360 app helped reconstruct the crash, showing that Shirilla did not brake until impact. Friends reported the group attended a party beforehand. Toxicology tests showed THC in Shirilla’s system, but no psychedelic mushrooms. Investigators believe she deliberately accelerated before hitting the wall.
Family Reaction
Dominic Russo’s mother, Christine, and Shirilla’s parents were devastated when informed of the fatalities. Bodycam footage shows Christine reacting with shock and grief, while Shirilla’s parents struggled to process the news.
