The Crash viewers slam Mackenzie Shirilla’s "ignorant" and "tone-deaf" parents and demand they go to jail too: "They're 100% to blame"
Steve and Natalie Shirilla insist their daughter didn't intentionally crash her car
The Crash has topped Netflix’s top 10 chart, with the doc leaving viewers enraged over two people in particular: Natalie and Steve Shirilla, Mackenzie’s “tone-deaf” parents.
The new true crime documentary revolves around Mackenzie Shirilla. In 2022, at the age of 17, she drove her car into a brick wall at 100mph. She survived, but her boyfriend and his best friend – Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan – were killed in the collision.
It was initially presumed to be a horrific accident, either as a result of drink-driving, drugs, or a fault with the car. However, a year later, she was sentenced to 15 years to life for murder.
Mackenzie appears in the doc, vowing once again that the crash was unintentional. However, it’s her parents who have emerged from the film as two of its most contentious figures.
Where are Mackenzie Shirilla’s parents now?
Natalie and Steve Shirilla adamantly stand opposed to Mackenzie’s conviction for murder. They’ve argued that not only she wasn’t responsible for what happened, but suggested Dominic may have been to blame.
“It’s tragic what happened to those two boys. But, think if it was your kid… how would you feel?” Steve says near the end of the doc.
“I’m gonna fight for my daughter. We have ironclad evidence that disputes what was said in the trial,” he adds, with Natalie then citing texts between Mackenzie and Dominic’s mother.
During the film, assistant prosecutor Tim Troup details a call that Dominic’s mother had received. He’s said to have claimed that Mackenzie was threatening to crash her car, and that his mum sent a friend to look for them before they got hurt.
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However, her parents have alleged that Mackenzie also texted Christine, accusing Dominic of trying to “end [her] life”.
“We’re gonna fight, fight, fight. If I have to drive to the White House… I’ll take it all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to,” Natalie says.
“Show me one piece of evidence”
During the trial, prosecutors pointed to a number of things that either drew attention to Mackenzie’s character or suggested her actions were intentional.
For example, when she first turned into Progress Drive in Strongsville, Ohio, her driving appeared to be slow and steady. However, from here she sped up to 100mph. Her car’s black box also showed both sustained speeds of 90-100mph and no use of the breaks.
Yet, her parents aren’t convinced.
“Show me one piece of evidence, one that says she did this on purpose… then she’s right where she belongs and she’s guilty of it, but there isn’t any,” Steve told WKYC Channel 3 last year.
Her parents have argued that Mackenzie suffered a medical episode at the wheel, as a result of her postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) diagnosis.
When asked if she should be in prison for murder, they said no. “Should she have been charged with reckless vehicular homicide, 2 counts? Absolutely,” Steve said.
All of Mackenzie’s appeals have been denied thus far, and she remains incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
The Crash viewers fume at Mackenzie Shirilla’s “delusional” parents
Viewers haven’t minced their words online when it comes to Steve and Natalie Shirilla.
Whether it’s the fact they let her live with Dominic when she was 17, condoned her smoking marijuana, or their comments and stance after the crash, they’ve been the subject of widespread criticism.
“Who told Mackenzie Shirilla’s parents it was a good idea to partake in this Netflix documentary? They need to be in the same place as their daughter,” one user wrote.
“I cannot believe how ignorant and naive her parents are. They had their heads in the sand for years about her selfish behaviour,” another commented.
“The parents are 100% to blame,” a third wrote, with others branding them “delusional”, “tone-deaf”, and “idiots”.
“A prime example of bad parenting. I get the need to protect and be loyal to your child, but their complete lack of understanding of the victims’ pain is unbelievable,” another wrote.
“Her parents are enabling fools,” one viewer commented online.
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