In the weeks that led up to the deadly July 31, 2022 crash that claimed the lives of Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan, 21‑year‑old Mackenzie Shirilla was sending frantic text messages to her boyfriend. The messages, later uncovered by TMZ, paint a picture of a young woman grappling with a serious medical condition that may have played a role in the fatal collision.
Text Messages Uncover a Health Crisis Before the Tragedy
According to the texts released by TMZ on May 27, 2026, Shirilla told Russo in early July that she was experiencing blackouts. She wrote, “I’m having blackouts, it’s getting worse.” Russo’s reply suggested he was concerned about a possible vitamin deficiency that could affect blood flow to her brain. The exchange also hinted at underlying tension between the couple, with Shirilla later responding, “Keep treating me like this, see where that gets you.”
These messages are significant because they provide a window into Shirilla’s state of mind and health just weeks before the accident. In court filings, she has cited postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a chronic condition that can cause rapid heart rate, dizziness, and fainting spells. POTS is known to trigger blackouts, especially when a person stands for extended periods or experiences sudden changes in posture.
While the texts do not directly link POTS to the crash, they do raise questions about whether Shirilla’s medical condition could have impaired her ability to control the vehicle at the time of the collision. The evidence is circumstantial, but it adds a layer of complexity to the narrative that has dominated public discourse.
The Crash: A Fatal Collision and Legal Fallout
The accident occurred on a suburban road in the early hours of July 31, 2022. Shirilla was driving a car that collided with a semi‑truck, resulting in the deaths of Russo and Flanagan. The incident sparked an immediate investigation by local law enforcement, who quickly identified Shirilla as the driver.
In August 2023, after a trial that lasted several weeks, Shirilla was convicted of murder, vehicular homicide, and related charges. She was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 15 years to life, a punishment that reflects the severity of the crime. The judge, who had described her as “literal hell on wheels,” emphasized the danger posed by her actions and the tragic loss of life.
Shirilla’s age at the time of the crash—she was 17—did not alter the legal outcome. She was tried
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