“I’m big on the ‘no intent.’ There was no intent whatsoever there. 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.” —Mackenzie Shirilla’s statement to her attorney, published on Netflix.com/Tudum
In Strongsville, Ohio, 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla has a four-year relationship with the kind and business-savvy Dominic Russo. Her parents are fond of Dominic and surprisingly supportive of young Mackenzie’s decision to live with him, presuming they will marry and live happily ever after. But beware. Beyond these first impressions lies a sobering, true tale about an unpredictable, narcissistic young woman. Welcome to The Crash.
From the moment we meet Mackenzie in this documentary streaming on Netflix, her body language and dialogue suggest an overbearing, unstable young woman who can’t be trusted. Her own needs and opinions, including her influencer status on social media, are all that matter. Not to mention her delusional mom and dad, who probably raised her with such a long leash that Mackenzie ended up raising herself.
Too much autonomy, along with mental imbalance and a short fuse, ignite Mackenzie’s mood swings, rage, and threats of violence to Dominic. We wonder why he is with her, or why anyone would want to be around her, besides her parents. While Dominic is trying to survive Mackenzie’s darkest, most hostile moments, Mackenzie is blaming Dominic for his lack of sympathy for her lack of self-control. Which sounds more like a comedy routine than a statement of fact. But Mackenzie could overwhelm even a professional counselor. Her mental state begs for diagnosis and medication, which her parents don’t seem to acknowledge. They are her blind, unwavering support, more like peers than parents. They see her as a fine young woman with a bright future who can take care of herself. Which makes us wonder if they’re talking about the same person.
Meanwhile, Dominic still lets her drive, even though she’s been channeling her anger through her Toyota’s acceleration pedal. That leads us to the morning in question. On July 31, 2022, Mackenzie, Dominic, and his friend Davion are at a casual all-nighter of friends and marijuana. In the wee morning hours, they head home in Mackenzie’s Toyota—and, yes, she’s the driver. Mackenzie keeps accelerating, faster and faster, terrifying Dominic and Davion, who beg her to stop. Apparently, both Dominic and Davion removed their seat belts trying to reach for the steering wheel, but too late. Mackenzie crashes into a brick building with a horrific force that neither the vehicle nor its two passengers could survive. Dominic and Davion are dead. Emergency medics find Mackenzie seat-belted but wedged under the console, and alive. She survives with a multitude of serious injuries and a tale to tell—or a tale she could have told. But she claims she doesn’t remember anything about the crash. She has nothing to say, even to the prosecutor, who considers her silence an admission of guilt.
The District Attorney launches his investigation. Forensic technicians extract the event data recorder (“black box”) from the shattered Toyota, which clocked the speed of collision at 100 mph. And a crucial discovery is a video monitor recording from several days prior to the crash. It shows Mackenzie scouting the vicinity prior to the incident. And because it’s an industrial area, she would have only one reason for being there: planning a lethal driving event. After a six-month investigation, the D.A. holds the driver fully responsible, charging Mackenzie with multiple capital offenses, including a double murder. Since Mackenzie always considers herself above the rules, she poses a counteroffer to avoid prison time: surrendering her driver’s license for ten years.
If The Crash were fiction, you might find the story and its leading character far-fetched. But this true-crime procedural offers a lesson about real people with no conscience. The story also includes highlights of the court trial and the verdict. Brace yourself for Mackenzie’s effort to sound sad and sincere in her statement to the court. And the statement from her mother will make your head explode.
Director Gareth Johnson and producer Angharad Scott explain that this startling documentary is meant to acknowledge the grieving families and friends of the two young victims. For more information beyond the documentary, you’ll find plenty of websites with photos, quotes, and details. If we’re looking for a takeaway, The Crash reminds us to stay far away from people we don’t trust, especially those posing as friends. And that no one should use a car like a weapon. Remember the adage for the responsibility of whoever is behind the wheel: Drive (or be driven) as though your life depends on it. Because it does.