In the early hours of July 31, 2022, Mackenzie was driving her 2018 Toyota Camry after a party when she crashed into a brick building at over 100 mph. Russo and Flanagan died at the scene, while Mackenzie suffered multiple fractures and was hospitalized.
Witnesses described the crash as devastating, with one officer calling it “the worst crash I’ve ever seen.”
Investigation and Evidence
Authorities initially considered alcohol and drugs, as psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, and a digital scale were found in the car. Blood tests showed only THC, and investigators ruled out car malfunction. Event data from the car’s “black box” showed the accelerator was fully pressed leading up to the crash, with no braking applied.
Legal Proceedings
Mackenzie was arrested in November 2022 and tried in March 2023. She was found guilty on 12 counts, including four counts of murder, two of aggravated vehicular homicide, four of felonious assault, and two related charges.
In August 2023, she was sentenced to two concurrent 15-to-life sentences, with the possibility of parole after 15 years. Her driver’s license was permanently revoked.
Mackenzie’s Defense and Claim of Innocence
Mackenzie and her parents maintain her innocence. She claims she does not remember the crash and insists she is “not a murderer.” Her defense suggested she could have had a medical emergency due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition she was diagnosed with in 2017.
Context from the Trial
Evidence presented included text exchanges, witness testimony, and recordings showing prior arguments between Mackenzie and Russo. Judge Nancy Margaret Russo described the crash as intentional, stating, “This was not reckless driving. This was murder.”
Netflix Documentary
Mackenzie’s story is featured in the Netflix documentary The Crash, which debuted on May 15, 2026, exploring the events and ongoing claims of innocence.
