Newly released bodycam footage shows the dramatic arrest of Mackenzie Shirilla, an Ohio teenager convicted of deliberately crashing her car into a building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and a friend.
On July 31, 2022, Shirilla, then 17, was captured on surveillance driving her 2018 Toyota Camry in Strongsville, Ohio. She sped down a road in a corporate park before slamming into a brick building. Prosecutors stated she had marijuana and THC in her system and was arguing with her boyfriend at the time of the crash... Continue reading here ▶
The crash killed Dominic Russo, 20, who was in the passenger seat, and Davion Flanagan, a friend sitting in the back. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Shirilla, found unconscious in the car, was also seriously injured.
During her 2023 trial, Cuyahoga County Judge Nancy Margaret Russo described Shirilla as “literal hell on wheels” when she turned onto that fatal road. She was convicted of 12 charges, including murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, felonious assault, and drug possession. In August 2023, Shirilla was sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility after 15 years.
Bodycam Footage of Arrest
The Strongsville Police Department recently released bodycam footage of Shirilla’s arrest. In the video, she sits in the back of a police SUV wearing a tank top and a jacket. An officer informs her, “You’re under arrest for aggravated murder x 2, okay?” Shirilla appears shocked but asks the officer to handle her bracelet carefully when swapping handcuffs. He reassures her, “You got it,” and she responds with a quiet “Thank you.”
Authorities determined that the crash was intentional after analyzing surveillance footage and vehicle data. The data showed no attempt to brake before impact. Shirilla’s Prada slipper was reportedly stuck on the gas pedal, and she drove at full speed into the building.
Prosecutors argued that Shirilla’s motive was to end her troubled relationship with Dominic Russo. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley stated, “Her intent was clear—there was only one goal. This crash tragically cost two people their lives.”
Before the crash, Shirilla, Russo, and Flanagan had reportedly been smoking marijuana at a friend’s house. Shirilla’s THC levels exceeded the legal limit in Ohio.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a tragedy like this, support is available. For help with emotional distress, text “STRENGTH” to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
