Ohio teens Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan were killed in a high-speed crash in Strongsville in 2022, but the fatal wreck was more than just a tragic accident.
Russo’s girlfriend Mackenzie Shirilla was behind the wheel when their vehicle smashed into a brick building at 100 miles per hour. Russo and Flanagan were pronounced dead at the scene, but Shirilla survived the impact.
After a brief investigation, authorities determined Shirilla had intentionally crashed the car and was later convicted. The brutal crime is explored in the new Netflix documentary The Crash, which delves into the events leading up to Russo and Flanagan’s deaths, as well as the investigation that sent Shirilla to prison.
Here’s what we know about Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan.
Who Were Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan?
Born in September 2001, Dominic Russo, 20 at the time of his death, grew up in Strongsville, Ohio, with his parents Christine and Frank Russo and six siblings Angelo, Christopher, Nicole, Christine, Michael, and Frank. He had dreams of becoming a musician and was even in the process of starting his own clothing line.
His friend Davion Flanagan, 19 at the time of his death, was born in March 2003. He was adopted at the age of 8 by Jamie and Scott Flanagan, along with his two siblings, Davyne and Dalia. His biological parents struggled with substance use disorder and were unable to care for him. A 2022 Strongsville High School graduate, Flanagan was a star football player and was in the process of applying to barber schools when he was killed.
Both Russo and Flanagan belonged to the same friend group, which included Russo’s girlfriend, Mackenzie Shirilla.
What Was Dominic Russo’s Relationship with Mackenzie Shirilla Like?
At the time of his death, Russo had been in a turbulent relationship with Shirilla for four years. Although the couple moved in together in 2021, their relationship was marked by frequent arguments and breakups.
In the months before the crash, Russo and Shirilla’s relationship had grown more toxic, according to his mother, with the pair fighting more than ever. A friend of Russo’s even overheard Shirilla threaten to crash her car while he was in the passenger seat just weeks before the wreck. Russo had confided in friends and family he was considering breaking up with Shirilla for good.
Were Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan Murdered?
In the early hours of July 31, 2022, Russo, Flanagan, and Shirilla were on the way home from a party when Shirilla, then 17, accelerated to 100 miles per hour and steered her Toyota Camry into a brick building. At the time, Russo was in the passenger seat and Flanagan was sitting in the back. The impact killed both young men, leaving only a severely injured Shirilla alive.
Authorities analyzed her car’s computer and discovered she had not attempted to brake in the seconds leading up to the crash. They also found the car only increased in speed as it approached the building.
Following her arrest, Shirilla’s attorneys argued the crash was an accident, claiming she became unconscious at the wheel due to her postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) diagnosis, which can cause lightheadedness and fainting. But this wasn’t enough to convince the judge, who ultimately ruled she intentionally caused the crash to hurt her boyfriend.
In August 2023, Shirilla was convicted of the murders of Russo and Flanagan and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
How to Watch The Crash
Directed by Gareth Johnson, The Crash explores the deadly car wreck that claimed Russo and Flanagan’s lives and the investigation that put Shirilla behind bars. The new documentary arrives on Netflix May 15.
Catherine Caruso joined the Biography.com staff in August 2024, having previously worked as a freelance journalist for several years. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she studied English literature. When she’s not working on a new story, you can find her reading, hitting the gym, or watching too much TV.
