Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
Mackenzie Shirilla is an Ohio teenager who intentionally crashed a car into a brick building. It resulted in the deaths of her 20-year-old boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and his 19-year-old friend, Davion Flanagan. Prior to the crash, Shirilla, who was 17 at the time, reportedly threatened her boyfriend that she would crash the car. However, the argument ended at that time, and Russo was picked up by one of his friends. The crash happened early in the morning on July 31, 2022, in the Cleveland suburbs of Strongsville, as per a report by the Independent.
Driving at 100 mph, Shirilla sped along a dead-end street in Strongsville before she slammed the car into the brick wall. The police arrived at the crime scene nearly 45 minutes after the crash. They found the vehicle with severe damage and full airbag deployment. As per NBC News, Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan were pronounced dead at the scene, while Mackenzie Shirilla was found unconscious in the vehicle. She was rushed to a hospital.
CBS News reported that Mackenzie Shirilla was found guilty of murder, drug possession, possession of criminal tools, felonious assault, and vehicular homicide. She was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison and was to serve the sentences for the deaths of Russo and Flanagan concurrently. The court held Shirilla solely responsible for the killing. Her action was also called a “selfish, intentional and crule decision.” Her driver’s license was suspended for life.
Why did Mackenzie Shirilla kill her boyfriend Dominic Russo?
NBC News reported that Mackenzie Shirilla was in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend, Dominic Russo. Her threats to crash the car reportedly came two weeks before the actual killings. A friend of Russo’s reportedly overheard her over a call when she was telling him she would crash the car. Later, several videos found on Russo’s phone showed Shirilla verbally abusing him, making threats, and damaging his property. In one instance, when he refused to let her into his home, she allegedly threatened to key his car and break off its handle.
Shirilla and Russo had reportedly been dating for 3 to 4 years by then. She stayed over at Russo’s house for the most part. As per another report by NBC News, a forensic mechanic testified in court that the car’s accelerator peddle was being pushed consistently before the crash. This suggests that it was an intentional crash. It was being pushed to full capacity, and no brakes were being applied.
According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, the vehicle had no defects that could have led to the crash. Additionally, traces of psilocybin mushrooms were found on Mackenzie Shirilla. The report also said that the murder was premeditated. This was because Shirilla took the ride at 5:30 a.m. in the morning when witnesses to the crime would be unlikely. The road was allegedly one that she did not take frequently but visited once before.
The court also noted Mackenzie Shirilla’s lack of remorse following the crash. She had been admitted to the hospital after the crash. After that, she was reportedly attempting to get a job with a Los Angeles-based model company. According to Fox 8, she also posted pictures celebrating Halloween and attending a concert in Cleveland’s Flats District.
