CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Mackenzie Shirilla, 19, was sentenced to life in prison with the first eligibility of parole after 15 years for intentionally crashing her car and killing her two male passengers in Strongsville.

“No sentence imposed will enable these families to heal from this senseless act. My thoughts and prayers remain with the families of Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan. It is my hope that Mackenzie Shirilla comes out of prison a better person and spends the rest of her life doing good in our community.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On July 31, 2022, at approximately 5:30 a.m. in the morning, Mackenzie Shirilla, 19 (17 at the time), was a driving her Toyota Camry with two male passengers inside, ages 19 and 20, at a controlled speed down Progress Road in Strongsville. Almost immediately after turning onto Progress Drive, she then accelerated her vehicle to 100 mph. She then drove her vehicle directly through a business sign and into the Plidco Building, a brick structure located at the intersection of Progress Drive and Alameda Drive.

The crash site was located 45 minutes later by a good Samaritan who then called the police. Strongsville Police Department (SPD) and Strongsville Emergency Services responded to the scene. Both male passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene. Shirilla was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for her injuries.

Further investigation of the Toyota’s Event Data Recorder (also known as the Black Box) revealed that Shirilla had her right foot pressed down on the acceleration pedal to its full extent and the service brake pedal was never applied before the impact. Shirilla’s vehicle had no defects that contributed to the crash. Psilocybin mushrooms and a digital scale were also located on Shirilla.

On August 14, 2023, Mackenzie Shirilla was found guilty of the following charges:

  • Four counts of Murder
  • Four counts of Felonious Assault
  • Two counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
  • One count of Drug Possession
  • One count of Possessing Criminal Tools