New claims surrounding convicted “Hell on Wheels” killer Mackenzie Shirilla have emerged after a former inmate alleged that Shirilla privately admitted to intentionally causing the crash that killed her boyfriend Dominic Russo and friend Davion Flanagan.
Shirilla is currently serving two concurrent sentences of 15 years to life after being convicted of aggravated murder for the July 2022 crash in Strongsville, Ohio.
The case has exploded back into public conversation following the release of Netflix’s documentary The Crash, which featured Shirilla’s first prison interview and reignited debate about whether the deadly collision was intentional.
Now, a former inmate identified as Anastasia claims Shirilla confessed while the two were incarcerated together at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Anastasia alleged that Shirilla described herself as being influenced by “the devil” at the time of the crash.
“She said the devil made her do it,” Anastasia claimed. “She said the devil was pressing on her foot.”
The ex-inmate also alleged that Shirilla appeared strangely detached while discussing the fatal incident.
“She almost looked as though she was enjoying telling the story,” Anastasia claimed. “Like she was amused by it.”
According to prosecutors during Shirilla’s trial, the 19-year-old driver accelerated to 100mph before slamming into a building without ever attempting to brake.
Investigators also pointed to testimony that Shirilla had previously threatened Dominic Russo during an argument, allegedly saying: “I will crash this car right now.”
Despite the conviction, Shirilla has consistently denied intentionally causing the crash. Her legal team argued she may have suffered a medical episode linked to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), causing her to lose consciousness behind the wheel.
However, the court ultimately rejected that argument and found her guilty on all charges.
Anastasia also claimed Shirilla kept a scrapbook dedicated to the case while behind bars — but alleged it contained only photos of herself and media coverage.
“She didn’t have any pictures of Dom or Davion,” Anastasia claimed. “I felt like that was cold.”
The allegation has drawn attention because similar comments appeared in recorded jail calls featured in The Crash documentary.
During one phone call, Shirilla’s mother Natalie allegedly discussed putting together a scrapbook filled with media coverage about the case, while Mackenzie referred to herself as “the third victim.”
The documentary has triggered widespread backlash toward Shirilla’s parents, particularly her father Steve Shirilla, who defended his daughter throughout the film and publicly insisted there is “no evidence” she intentionally caused the crash.
Following the documentary’s release, Steve Shirilla was reportedly placed on administrative leave from his teaching job amid criticism surrounding comments he made in the series.
Meanwhile, Dominic Russo’s family has continued to push back strongly against attempts to portray Mackenzie sympathetically.
Russo’s sister, Christine, has even called for new legislation aimed at preventing convicted killers from profiting from social media fame connected to violent crimes.
Shirilla will first become eligible for parole in 2037.
