The Crash on Netflix: Strongsville Location, Date & True Story
The crash took place on Progress Drive in Strongsville, Ohio, on July 31, 2022. Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan were killed.
Listen to our full episode covering the background of the case!
Last Update September 3, 2026
September 1, 2026 update: The Ohio Supreme Court denied Mackenzie Shirilla’s motion to reconsider its prior decision not to accept her appeal. A separate federal habeas corpus petition remains pending, and Shirilla remains incarcerated.
Yes, Netflix’s The Crash is based on a true story. The documentary examines the July 31, 2022 collision in Strongsville, Ohio, in which Mackenzie Shirilla drove into a brick building at high speed. Her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and their friend, Davion Flanagan, were killed. Shirilla was later convicted of murder.
The Crash premiered on Netflix on May 15, 2026 and includes Shirilla’s first prison interview.
Where did the crash take place?
The crash took place on Progress Drive in Strongsville, Ohio, at a business park near Pearl Road. Surveillance footage and the vehicle’s data recorder became central to the prosecution’s case because they documented the route and the final seconds before impact.
When did the crash happen?
The crash occurred in the early morning of July 31, 2022. Shirilla, Dominic Russo, and Davion Flanagan had left a friend’s house before the vehicle traveled through Strongsville and crashed into the corner of a brick building.
Is The Crash on Netflix a true story?
Yes. The Crash is a documentary about the real criminal case involving Mackenzie Shirilla. The film explores the relationship between Shirilla and Russo, the fatal collision, the investigation, and the bench trial that followed.
At trial, prosecutors argued the collision was intentional. They relied on surveillance video and vehicle data showing full acceleration and no braking before the impact. The defense argued that Shirilla had a medical blackout. The court found her guilty.
What happened in the Mackenzie Shirilla case?
On July 31, 2022, Shirilla was driving with Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan as passengers. The car accelerated to nearly 100 miles per hour before striking a brick building. Russo and Flanagan died at the scene.
The investigation initially raised questions about whether the collision was an accident. Prosecutors later argued that the available evidence showed a deliberate act. In August 2023, Judge Nancy Margaret Russo found Shirilla guilty on 12 counts, including four counts of murder. She received two concurrent life sentences with parole eligibility after 15 years.
Who were Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan?
Dominic Russo was Shirilla’s boyfriend. Davion Flanagan was their friend and was also in the car when it crashed. Both young men were killed in the July 2022 collision.
Their families have continued to remember them through community support and memorial efforts. A complete account of the case should keep their names at the center, rather than treating them only as background to Shirilla’s conviction or the Netflix documentary.
What does Netflix’s The Crash reveal?
Netflix describes The Crash as an examination of the fatal crash and the case that followed. The documentary includes Shirilla’s first interview from prison and presents the competing accounts of what happened on Progress Drive.
The evidence heard in court remains central to the case: the vehicle’s recorded acceleration, the absence of braking, surveillance footage, and the prosecution’s theory that the crash was intentional.
Where is Mackenzie Shirilla now?
Shirilla is serving her sentence at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction lists an expected parole-eligibility date of October 29, 2037, with a first parole-board review month of September 2037.
On July 28, 2026, Shirilla filed a federal habeas corpus petition challenging her conviction. The petition is not a ruling; she remains incarcerated, and court filings in the case remain pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Crash on Netflix based on a true story?
Yes. The Crash is based on the real 2022 Strongsville, Ohio, crash involving Mackenzie Shirilla, Dominic Russo, and Davion Flanagan.
Where did the crash take place?
The crash occurred on Progress Drive in Strongsville, Ohio.
When did the crash happen?
The crash happened on July 31, 2022.
When did The Crash come out on Netflix?
Netflix released The Crash on May 15, 2026.
What happened to Mackenzie Shirilla?
Shirilla was convicted in 2023 and received two concurrent 15-years-to-life sentences. On July 28, 2026, she filed a federal habeas corpus petition challenging her conviction; the petition is not a ruling, and she remains incarcerated.
Listen to the Full Episode
Our Moms and Mysteries episode covers the full Strongsville timeline, the evidence examined at trial, and the impact on Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan’s families.
Sources
[1] Netflix Tudum: The Crash release information
[2] NBC News: What to know about Mackenzie Shirilla and The Crash
[3] FOX 8 Cleveland: Shirilla’s July 2026 federal habeas petition
[4] Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: Mackenzie F. Shirilla offender record
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