Episode 74: Crash of Intent - The Case of Mackenzie Shirilla

Mackenzie Shirilla and Dominic Russo were high school sweethearts locked in a volatile relationship—one marked by jealousy, threats, fights, and tearful reunions. It was on-again, off-again… until one summer night, it all came to a violent, irreversible end. In the early hours of a Sunday morning, Mackenzie got behind the wheel of her Toyota Camry—with Dominic and his friend Davion Flanegan in the car—and slammed into a brick wall at almost 100 miles per hour. Dominic and Davion didn’t survive. Was it an accident… or was it intentional? Prosecutors say Mackenzie’s obsession had crossed the line into premeditated murder. And her trial would go on to become one of Northeast Ohio’s most shocking and somewhat divisive court cases.

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

 

Sources:

NBC News – Teen who murdered boyfriend in 100 mph crash had toxic relationship with him, prosecutors said – Marlene Lenthang – August 20, 2023 - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teen-murdered-boyfriend-100-mph-crash-toxic-relationship-prosecutors-s-rcna100636

Ohio Department of Corrections – Offender Search - https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/W111780

USA Today – ‘Hell on wheels’ teen gets prison in 100 mph intentional crash that killed boyfriend, friend – Natalie Neysa Alund – August 22, 2023 - Mackenzie Shirilla crash sentence is 15 years to life, judge rules

Killer Cases – Season 4, Episode 12 – Murder on Wheels

People – Teen Convicted of Intentionally Crashing Car into Brick Wall at 100 MPH to Kill Boyfriend: ‘This was Murder’ – KC Baker – August 16, 2023 - Teen Intentionally Crashed Car into Wall at 100 mph to Kill Boyfriend

Meaww – The ‘chilling’ piece of evidence that got Mackenzie Shirilla jailed for 15 years for killing boyfriend Dominic Russo – Piyush Arora – August 22, 2023 - The 'chilling' piece of evidence that got Mackenzie Shirilla jailed for 15 years for killing boyfriend Dominic Russo - MEAWW

3News Investigates exclusive: Parents of Mackenzie Shirilla break silence, claim new evidence proves daughter’s innocence – Lynna Lai – May 22, 2025 - 3News Investigates exclusive: Parents of Mackenzie Shirilla break their silence | wkyc.com

Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules - Section 2923.24 - Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws

Wikipedia – Strongsville, Ohio - Strongsville, Ohio - Wikipedia

John’s Hopkins Medicine - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) | Johns Hopkins Medicine