Father’s Shocking Words to Cops After Daughter’s Deadly Crash Revealed

Liberty Check

• Father rushed to police station to shield daughter from questioning after fatal crash that killed two young men
• Bodycam footage reveals parent calling his own daughter ‘a dumb 18-year-old’ while berating law enforcement
• Prosecutors proved teen deliberately crashed car at 90 mph, killing boyfriend and friend — now serving 15 to life

Newly released bodycam footage exposes a father’s desperate attempt to protect his daughter from police interrogation after she was arrested for a crash that left two young men dead. The video shows Steven Shirilla calling his daughter Mackenzie “a dumb 18-year-old” while demanding officers stay away from her.

The Ohio murder case has returned to national attention following Netflix’s true-crime documentary “The Crash.” Mackenzie Shirilla, now 21, is serving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life in prison for the deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and their friend, Davion Flanagan, 19.

Prosecutors successfully argued that Shirilla deliberately slammed her Toyota Camry into a brick building in Strongsville, Ohio, on July 31, 2022. The crash occurred at speeds reaching 90 mph in a 35 mph zone, with evidence showing the accelerator fully engaged and no brakes applied.

The bodycam video captures Steven Shirilla arriving at the Strongsville Police Department on November 4, 2022, immediately after his daughter’s arrest. His confrontational approach with law enforcement reveals a parent prioritizing legal strategy over accountability.

“I need to speak to my daughter,” Steven Shirilla is heard telling officers.

“You guys aren’t allowed to speak with her at all, that’s from the lawyer. He does not want you guys speaking to her.”

“It’s unbelievable, I mean she’s 18,” Steven tells the officer.

When officers explained that Mackenzie Shirilla was legally an adult who could speak for herself, her father’s response was telling.

“Yeah, but she’s a dumb 18-year-old that just turned 18.”

When his wife, Natalie Shirilla, protested his characterization, he doubled down with a sweeping generalization.

“All the kids nowadays are dumb.”

Steven Shirilla repeatedly insisted police were “not allowed” to question his daughter and demanded to speak with her so she understood not to say anything to investigators. As officers left the station’s lobby, he yelled after them demanding they not ask her questions.

The footage provides new insight into the immediate aftermath of Shirilla’s arrest. Other bodycam video previously released showed the grim crash scene, with officers working through the destroyed vehicle as they investigated what prosecutors would later prove was an intentional act of violence.

Police records show Strongsville officers responded around 6:15 a.m. on July 31, 2022, after the Camry struck a commercial building. Shirilla, then 17, was removed from the driver’s seat and airlifted to MetroHealth Medical Center. Russo and Flanagan were pronounced dead after being mechanically extricated from the wreckage.

Evidence presented to a grand jury showed Life360 data tracking the vehicle at 90 mph in a 35 mph zone. Event Data Recorder information confirmed the accelerator was fully engaged with no service brake applied in the seconds before impact.

The deaths were initially classified as accidental by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office. However, investigators believed the evidence clearly showed the crash was “not an accident, but an intentional act.” Police requested a secondary review, and the manner of death was changed to homicide.

At trial, prosecutors argued that Shirilla drove into the building to end her toxic relationship with Russo. Flanagan was described as an unintended victim who happened to be in the car at the wrong time. The jury agreed, convicting the teen killer who became known as “hell on wheels.”

Shirilla has maintained the crash was not intentional, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Her case has gained renewed attention following the release of Netflix’s documentary series.

In a new development since the Netflix series aired, reports indicate that Steve Shirilla will not be returning to his teaching position at Mary Queen of Peace School.

“Catholic school personnel decisions are the purview of each school in the Diocese of Cleveland. Due to privacy considerations, neither the schools nor the Diocese ordinarily discuss personnel issues publicly,” the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland confirmed.

“However, we can confirm that Mr. Steve Shirilla will not be returning to Mary Queen of Peace School.”

Justice must be served, and the truth must be told.