The Crash: Where Mackenzie Shirilla is now, the "Free Kenzie" campaign and why her appeals were denied
"There's not a moment that passes where I don't think about them"
The Crash revolves around Mackenzie Shirilla, a 17-year-old girl from Ohio who drove her car into a wall at 100mph. It was initially thought to be an accident, but she ended up being convicted of murder.
If you’re still on the hunt for something to watch after Should I Marry a Murderer, Netflix has delivered another new true crime documentary. However, this one is arguably even stranger.
The Crash follows a case that hinges on one question, as posed by a prosecutor: “The real question is, was this a horrific accident… or was this murder?”
So, if you’re curious about what happened to Mackenzie Shirilla, where she is now, and when she could be released, you’re in the right place.
The Crash: What did Mackenzie Shirilla do?
Mackenzie Shirilla was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Dominic Russo, 20, and Davion Flanagan, 19.
Shirilla had been dating Russo for years before the incident, and Flanagan was one of his closest friends. As the documentary explores, they largely appeared to have a healthy relationship, but their dynamic was more toxic in texts and behind closed doors.
On July 31, 2022, Shirilla, Russo, and Flanagan had been at one of their friends’ houses in the early hours of the morning. After hanging out and smoking marijuana, they left in Shirilla’s car at 5:30am.
Four minutes later, a CCTV camera captured her vehicle turning slowly into Progress Drive in Strongsville. From here, the car eventually reached a speed of 100mph and crashed into the corner of a brick wall.
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As police officers observed, the car was effectively “split in two”, with the crash causing catastrophic damage on the passenger side of the car. Russo and Flanagan died in the collision, while Shirilla was found alive (though severely injured) and recovered from her injuries.
Over the next few months, evidence indicated that Shirilla intentionally crashed the car, something she’s adamantly denied.
However, in her bench trial (meaning the case was decided solely by a judge, not a jury), Judge Nancy Margaret Russo told Shirilla: “The [crash] video clearly shows the purpose and intent of the defendant. She chose a course of death and destruction that day.
“She morphs from a responsible driver to literal hell on wheels as she makes her way down the street.”
Where is Mackenzie Shirilla now?
Mackenzie Shirilla is currently imprisoned at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
She was given two 15-to-life sentences, one for each murder, to be served concurrently. In other words, she’ll be in prison for a minimum of 15 years before she’s eligible for parole.
Shirilla appears in the documentary, with Netflix’s team interviewing her in prison.
“It’s really hard every day in here,” she says.
“I try to wake up and be the best person I can be every day. Stay out of trouble. There’s not a moment that doesn’t pass where I don’t think about them or… I don’t feel the pain in my chest that… it’s still like a void of losing them.”
When asked if there’s any last words she’d like to say, the documentary shows her asking her lawyer if she “touched on” the right things.
“I don’t wanna force anything and just say too much or just sound crazy,” she says.
“I just wanna make sure I’m big on the no intent. There was no intent whatsoever. I have excessive amounts of remorse for Dominic, Davion, and both of their families. This was not intentional and I will do everything I can to prove that to the world and the families. And that’s it.”
When will Mackenzie Shirilla be released?
Mackenzie Shirilla was sentenced to 15 years to life on August 21, 2023. The earliest possible year she could be released is 2038, when she’ll be eligible for her first parole hearing.
In the trial, as seen in the documentary, Flanagan’s sister Davyne asked the judge to give Shirilla the “longest possible sentence”. Her mother, Natalie Shirilla, pleaded for “leniency” as it was a tragic accident.
During sentencing, Judge Russo said: “I understand that the pain in this room wants me to impose the harshest sentence. But I don’t believe that would be the appropriate sentence, because I do believe that Mackenzie will not be out in 15 years.”
“Free Mackenzie Shirilla” has thousands of supporters
As of May 2026, the “Free Mackenzie Shirilla” Facebook page has more than 2,400 followers.
To be clear, this is just a Facebook page that shares photos, videos, messages from Shirilla, and other “evidence” that she was wrongfully convicted.
Its Instagram profile only has 98 followers, while Shirilla’s page has just over 3,100 followers.
There’s also a YouTube channel: Crime Circus, which isn’t solely dedicated to Shirilla’s case, but has a dedicated playlist titled “Free Mackenzie Shirilla” and produces regular content around her case. It has over 420,000 subscribers.
Shirilla reportedly sent a message to her supporters in February.
“Thank you to those who see through the lies, and to those who take time out of their day to form their own opinion as to the truth of what actually happened,” she wrote.
“I’m not perfect! Never will be. But I am NOT guilty of murder. Like any young couple, Dom and I had our disagreements and arguments. However, I always loved Dom and would never do anything to hurt him, Davion, or anyone else I care about.
“I will respectfully and peacefully continue to fight for my innocence through the proper legal channels.
“To all of those who speak out on my behalf to raise awareness of this wrongful conviction… words cannot describe my sincere appreciation for your support and for being my voice. Continue to scream ‘Free Mackenzie Shirilla’ at the top of your lungs.”
Why were her appeals denied?
Shirilla has had two appeals denied thus far. On September 25, 2023, her legal team argued that not only was there not enough evidence to sustain her convictions, but there were allegedly multiple clerical errors during the trial. However, it was denied.
Her second appeal was also denied, this time cause it was filed one day after the deadline under Ohio law.
As explained by Court TV, Ohio law states that a defendant has exactly 365 days from the trial transcript being filed with the court of appeals to submit their petition for appeal.
“Because the appellant filed the petition on the 366th day following the filing of the trial transcript, the trial court was without jurisdiction to consider the merits of the claims, and the application of equitable tolling is prohibited in the context of this jurisdictional bar,” the court ruling read.
Despite Shirilla’s arguments that she should have had an extra day, given that 2024 was a leap year, the Eighth District Court of Appeals upheld this decision.
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