Netflix’s “The – Netflix’s documentary “The Crash,” released May 15, has thrust the Mackenzie Shirilla case back into the spotlight, reigniting debate over her guilt, her legal appeals, and how social media attention can follow a criminal conviction. The film revisits the July
Nearly two weeks after Netflix released “The Crash,” the Mackenzie Shirilla case is back in the center of public attention—this time fueled by an hourlong documentary, new details from court filings, and fresh contention over what the public is actually seeing.
The film, released May 15, chronicles the July 31, 2022 incident in Ohio involving Shirilla, who was 17 at the time. Netflix focuses on a deadly crash prosecutors say was not an accident: Shirilla crashed into a building after driving with Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan, killing both men.
Shirilla speaks on camera for the first time during the documentary. She maintains the crash was accidental, even as prosecutors and community members believe otherwise.
The documentary’s release also comes as Shirilla remains incarcerated and her legal efforts continue—setting up a fresh cycle of scrutiny that reaches well beyond the courtroom.
“The Crash” was released on May 15 and chronicles the July 31, 2022 incident. Netflix released the documentary after prosecutors had already laid out their account of what happened that morning: around 5:30 a.m. Shirilla made a turn on a street. accelerated her vehicle to 100 miles per hour. drove directly through a business sign. and into a building. according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney’s news release.
The prosecutor said a passerby noticed the crash site about 45 minutes later and called police. Both Russo and Flanagan were pronounced dead at the scene. Shirilla was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Prosecutors also pointed to the vehicle’s data recorder. describing it as “the Black Box.” Further investigation. the prosecuting attorney wrote. revealed that Shirilla had her right foot pressed down on the acceleration pedal to its full extent and that the service brake pedal was never applied before impact.
Netflix also spotlighted what it said is a courtroom contrast. Before her interview for “The Crash,” Netflix said in a May 15 article on the company’s website that Shirilla had not even testified during her own trial.
Convicted in 2023, sentenced to life
In August 2023, Shirilla was convicted of four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one count of drug possession, and one count of possessing criminal tools, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney.
She was later sentenced to life in prison with the first eligibility of parole after 15 years, the prosecuting attorney said in a press release and on social media.
Netflix’s documentary has now renewed interest in the case and includes interviews from Shirilla, the victims’ family and friends, and law enforcement and prosecutors.
Where Shirilla is now, and what happens next
Online court records show Shirilla is incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, about 40 miles northwest of Columbus.
Netflix said in a recent article about the documentary that Shirilla’s first parole hearing is scheduled for September 2037.
Legal filings remain active. Lexi Bauer, communications manager at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, told USA TODAY on May 27 that Shirilla’s team filed an appeal of her conviction with the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
Bauer said the district upheld her conviction. The legal team first appealed her conviction in 2023, per court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
Since then, Shirilla has filed an appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court and also filed a post-conviction relief petition on Oct. 24, 2024, asking the Eighth District Court of Appeals to take another look at her case.
Convicts who file relief petitions ask courts to void their convictions or grant them new trials based on a violation of rights or new evidence. In Shirilla’s case, the Eighth District Court of Appeals denied the petition.
Now, the Ohio Supreme Court needs to decide whether it will review her post-conviction relief petition, Bauer said.
During the documentary, Shirilla said she is innocent.
“I never told my side of the story,” she said, peering into the camera. “I just want to say my truth … I just know myself and I know I’m not a monster.”
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley said in a statement to USA TODAY on May 27 that he believes “Mackenzie Shirilla is guilty of murder.” He said, “We are confident that any court that reviews this case will come to the same conclusion.”
A lawyer representing Shirilla did not immediately respond to requests for comment on May 27.
A grim timeline—and a courtroom fight over what comes next—has followed the crash from the start. Prosecutors describe pedal data and a vehicle speeding into a business sign before impact; Shirilla’s camp says she has never had the chance to tell her side in court the way she did in the documentary.
Police releases, family pressure, and a new battle over attention
Since the documentary was released, police have also released additional materials, including text messages between Shirilla and her boyfriend, Russo, as well as jailhouse calls and bodycam footage from the day of the crash, per WOIO-TV and TMZ.
The documentary has triggered consequences for people around the case as well. Shirilla’s father, Steve Shirilla, has been placed on administrative leave from his teaching job at a Catholic school for participating in the documentary, per WOIO-TV and WKYC-TV.
Mary Queen of Peace School sent a letter to families saying it is investigating claims that a teacher at the school “has demonstrated poor judgment.” According to WOIO-TV, Shirilla’s father was placed on leave due to comments he made during the documentary.
The school wrote: “Upon learning of the allegation, the school acted immediately and placed the teacher on administrative leave.”
Steve Shirilla told WOIO-TV that Netflix is to blame for the way the company edited his comments. He said some of his comments were left out altogether, and he believes his daughter is innocent.
For Christine Russo—Russo’s sister—the documentary has brought a new urgency of its own. She is pushing for law reform that would prevent Shirilla and other convicted offenders from profiting off cases like these.
In a Change.org petition titled “Dom and Davion’s Law. ” Christine Russo said reformed laws would ideally allow courts and parole boards to impose restrictions on monetized social media features during parole or supervised release. She also called for prohibiting offenders under supervision from getting sponsorships.
“Since the documentary aired. our family has had to relive this tragedy publicly over and over again. ” she wrote on Change.org. “What hurts even more is seeing how modern social media culture allows violent offenders to gain attention. followers. donations. publicity. and influence from the crimes that destroyed families like mine.”.
Where the public is looking for more
After Netflix released “The Crash,” social media users also went online to share their thoughts—pointing out what they say wasn’t included in the documentary.
Those wanting to learn more about the case have options presented online, including coverage by Saleen Martin, a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia—the 757—and can be reached at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
Mackenzie Shirilla The Crash Netflix Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney Dominic Russo Davion Flanagan Ohio Reformatory for Women parole eligibility post-conviction relief petition Eighth District Court of Appeals Ohio Supreme Court Change.org Dom and Davion’s Law