A 19-year-old, Mackenzie Shirilla, from Strongsville, Ohio, faced a guilty verdict on 12 counts, including murder charges.
On July 31, 2022, in the early morning, Shirilla deliberately drove her car into a brick structure at a speed of 100 mph. This led to the immediate deaths of two passengers, Dominic Russo, 20, her boyfriend, and Davion Flanagan, 19, a friend. While both victims lost their lives in the crash, Shirilla was discovered unconscious, eventually regaining her health.
On August 14, Judge Nancy Margaret Russo from Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court determined the act as murder, not just reckless driving.
Surveillance from the Progressive Avenue business park displayed a sudden acceleration and purposeful direction of the car into the building. The prosecution presented arguments, citing Shirilla’s intention to conclude a troubled relationship after reportedly consuming marijuana with the victims. Emphasizing video evidence, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley demonstrated clear intent behind the act. The defense, however, challenged this notion of intent.
Judge Russo sentenced Shirilla to life imprisonment, offering parole eligibility after 15 years. The tragic event has left a void in two families, with GoFundMe campaigns initiated in the victims’ memory.
