Ohio Teen Convicted of Murder in 100 mph Crash Caught on Bodycam

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Newly released bodycam footage reveals the moments following the arrest of Mackenzie Shirilla, a 19-year-old convicted of intentionally crashing her car at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and a friend in July 2022. Shirilla was sentenced to life in prison in August 2023, with eligibility for parole after 15 years.

On July 31, 2022, Shirilla, then 17, was captured on surveillance footage driving her 2018 Toyota Camry at high speed before crashing into a brick building in Strongsville. The crash killed her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and their friend, Davion Flanagan, 19, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. Shirilla, who was unconscious and not breathing, survived the crash.

Prosecutors argued that Shirilla acted with intent, citing evidence that she did not attempt to brake or slow down before the collision. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo described Shirilla as “literal hell on wheels” during sentencing, stating, “This was not reckless driving. This was murder.”

In the bodycam footage, Shirilla is seen sitting in the back of a police SUV, tearfully asking an officer to be careful when removing her handcuffs to avoid breaking her bracelet. “Could you please be careful taking this one off so it doesn’t break the bracelet, please?” she pleaded. The officer assured her, “You got it. You got it.”

Authorities later discovered that Shirilla had THC in her system above the legal limit in Ohio, though she was not charged with driving under the influence. Her fuzzy Prada slipper was found stuck to the gas pedal, further supporting the prosecution’s claim of intent.

During her trial, Shirilla did not testify but read a statement apologizing to the families of the victims. “The families of Dominic and Davion, I’m so deeply sorry,” she said, calling Dominic her “soul mate.” However, the victims’ families rejected her apology, with Dominic’s mother, Christine Russo, stating, “Dom and Davion were robbed of their futures, their hopes, and their dreams.”

Shirilla was convicted on all 12 charges, including murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, and drug possession. Judge Russo emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, “She had a mission, and she executed it with precision.”