Contact Us
info@flynnmichaelfoundation.orgFlynn's Story
A Life Full of Promise, Taken Too Soon
Flynn MacKrell
July 11, 2005 - November 17, 2023
On November 17, 2023, our beloved son and brother, Flynn MacKrell, was killed by a reckless teenage driver. Flynn was only 18 years old—standing at the threshold of adulthood, filled with promise, joy, and hope for the life ahead of him. In a single, violent moment, that future was stolen. His death shattered our family and altered our lives forever.
Flynn had a rare way of making people feel seen and valued. Others were drawn to him effortlessly—not because he tried to stand out, but because of who he was. He led with kindness, warmth, and humor, and he cared deeply about the people in his life. Optimistic to his core, Flynn believed in the goodness of others and approached the world with an open heart. He was a devoted friend, a loving brother, a gifted athlete, and a gentle soul whose presence brought light and comfort to those around him. Even in his absence, Flynn's compassion, positivity, and joy continue to guide and sustain us.
The crash that took Flynn's life was not a random tragedy. It was predictable. It was preventable. And it revealed profound failures in teen driving accountability, parental responsibility, and the systems meant to protect our children. No family should ever endure the pain we now live with. Flynn's life mattered—and his death must mean something.
The Preventable Tragedy
What Happened
- A teen driver with a documented history of extreme, illegal speeding caused a fatal crash that was predictable and preventable.
- The reckless driving was known to the driver's family through repeated Life360 speed alerts, yet no effective intervention occurred.
- The victim was killed within minutes of leaving home when the vehicle accelerated to approximately 105 mph in a 25-mph residential neighborhood.
- Despite a 2nd degree murder charge with an adult designation and 2 independent pre-sentencing reports recommending adult sentencing, the case concluded with a blended juvenile disposition.
- The death highlights critical gaps in Michigan law regarding early intervention, parental accountability, and sentencing for lethal reckless driving.
The Impact
Flynn's death devastated his family, friends, and entire community. A young life with endless potential was lost in an instant due to a completely preventable act of reckless driving. This tragedy highlights the urgent need for stronger accountability and consequences for dangerous driving behaviors.
Remembering Flynn
Beloved Son & Brother
Known for his warmth and close family bonds
Loyal Friend
Cherished by all who knew him for his kindness
Bright Future
Full of promise with dreams ahead of him
"Flynn was known for his generosity, his bright smile, and the light he brought to everyone around him. His memory continues to inspire our mission to prevent other families from experiencing this heartbreak."
Why Flynn's Story Matters
Laws Must Change
Current juvenile justice laws fail to hold young drivers accountable for deadly reckless driving. The Flynn Mackrell Law would ensure appropriate consequences for such devastating choices.
Parents Must Be Held Accountable
Parents who enable reckless driving behavior or fail to properly supervise teen drivers must face consequences for their role in these tragedies.
Communities Must Act
Every community has a responsibility to educate young drivers, advocate for safer roads, and support legislative changes that protect innocent lives.
The Case for Parental Accountability
Although the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office initially declined to bring charges against Elizabeth Puleo Tague, Flynn's parents utilized a Michigan statute that allows private citizens, through an attorney, to present evidence directly to a judge. Following this citizen-initiated process, a judge determined there was probable cause to charge Elizabeth Puleo Tague with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Flynn MacKrell's death.
According to the allegations in the citizen-initiated complaint, Ms. Tague allegedly had knowledge of her son's pattern of reckless and dangerous driving behavior through Life360 GPS alerts showing repeated instances of excessive speeding—often exceeding 100 mph. The complaint alleges that rather than intervening to stop this dangerous behavior, restricting vehicle access, or taking away the keys, Ms. Tague allegedly purchased a faster vehicle—a BMW X3—that Kiernan ultimately used in the crash that killed Flynn while allegedly driving 105 mph in a 25 mph residential neighborhood.
These charges represent an important legal question: whether parents who allegedly have knowledge of their teen's dangerous driving patterns and allegedly enable that behavior by providing access to vehicles should face criminal accountability when tragedy results. Ms. Tague is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The Citizen-Initiated Charge Process
When the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office declined to pursue charges, Flynn's family exercised their right under Michigan law to initiate criminal charges through a private attorney. This process involved:
Evidence Presentation: Flynn's family, through their attorney, presented evidence directly to a judge showing alleged patterns of dangerous driving and alleged parental knowledge.
Judicial Review: The judge independently reviewed the evidence and determined there was probable cause to believe a crime had been committed.
Charges Filed: Based on the probable cause determination, the judge authorized criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter against Elizabeth Puleo Tague.
Current Status: The case is currently in the procedural stage, with pending motions that focus primarily on whether the law allowing citizen-initiated charges also permits the appointment of a special prosecutor so the case can move forward.
This citizen-initiated process is an important safeguard in Michigan's justice system, allowing victims' families to seek accountability when prosecutors decline to act. The outcome of this case may help establish important precedents for parental responsibility in teen driving cases.
Why Parental Accountability Matters
This case raises critical questions about parental responsibility when teens engage in reckless driving. When parents allegedly have knowledge of dangerous behaviors and allegedly fail to intervene—or allegedly provide more powerful vehicles—should they face legal consequences if tragedy results?
Flynn's death highlights the need for clear legal standards regarding parental responsibility in teen driving cases. The outcome of this case may help establish important precedents for future situations.
The Allegations
Note: These are allegations made in the citizen-initiated complaint. Ms. Tague is presumed innocent and has the right to defend herself in court.
Legal Notice
For complete information about the legal proceedings, the presumption of innocence, and the citizen-initiated charge process, please visit our Legal Notice page.
Support Legislative Reform
Flynn's death was preventable. Help us change the laws that failed to protect him and countless others.
The Flynn MacKrell Law
Support legislation that ensures appropriate consequences for deadly reckless driving by minors.
Parental Accountability
Advocate for laws holding parents responsible when they knowingly enable dangerous teen driving.
Early Intervention
Push for mandatory intervention programs when teen drivers show patterns of reckless behavior.
How You Can Help
Contact your state legislators and urge them to support teen driving accountability laws
Sign our petition calling for stronger consequences for reckless teen drivers
Share Flynn's story to raise awareness about the need for legislative change
Attend town halls and public meetings to advocate for road safety reforms
Honor Flynn's Memory
Help us ensure that Flynn's tragic death leads to meaningful change that prevents other families from experiencing this devastating loss.