Flynn Mackrell Obituary, Death: ‘The mother knew it’: Parents of car crash victim push for teen driver’s mom to be held accountable

The tragic death of 18-year-old Flynn MacKrell in a high-speed car crash in Michigan has left his family devastated and searching for justice. The incident, which occurred in November 2023, has ignited a legal and moral debate over who should be held accountable for the accident, as the MacKrell family pushes for authorities to charge not only the teenage driver but also the driver’s mother.

The Fatal Crash

Flynn MacKrell, a promising freshman at the University of Dayton, was riding as a passenger in a car driven by his 16-year-old friend. The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed due to his age, was speeding at over 100 mph in a residential zone where the speed limit was just 25 mph, according to police reports.

The excessive speed caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which ultimately crashed into a tree. The impact was devastating, killing Flynn instantly. The loss of Flynn, a young man just beginning to explore his potential at college, has left his family and friends in profound grief.

The driver was subsequently charged with second-degree murder. Despite the severity of the charge, the 16-year-old has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial. While the legal process unfolds, Flynn’s family is pushing for additional accountability, specifically targeting the driver’s mother.

Holding the Mother Accountable

Flynn’s parents, Thad MacKrell and Anne Vanker, are adamant that the driver’s mother should also face charges. They argue that she was fully aware of her son’s dangerous driving habits and yet failed to take the necessary actions to prevent such a tragedy. According to an investigation report obtained by ABC News, the 16-year-old had Life360, an app that tracks driving speed and location. The app revealed that the mother had texted her son multiple times about his reckless driving, including instances where he was caught driving at alarming speeds, such as 123 mph.