Family of 18-year-old Killed in High-Speed Michigan Crash Demands Accountability

Horror Unfolds on Motor City Streets

Detroit, Michigan – Harrowing details have emerged from a high-speed crash that resulted in the tragic death of an 18-year-old named Flynn MacKrell in the suburb of Grosse Pointe Farms last November. The young man was the passenger in a BMW X3, driven recklessly by a 16-year-old friend, Kiernan Tague, who fortunately survived the crash. The episode, which has left the victim’s family in deep grief and anger, is now the subject of a rapidly rising public outcry.

Recalling the Terrifying Incident

Police reports divulge that Tague was driving well over 100 mph on a residential street with a speed limit of just 25 mph. The car veered off course, colliding violently with a utility pole and a tree. It was only a few minutes after the friends had departed from MacKrell’s residence when the fatal crash happened.

A Pattern of Reckless Behavior

Authorities discovered a shocking revelation that Tague had a demonstrated pattern of excessive speeding. Incriminating cell phone videos and records from a tracking app, Life 360, which the suspect’s mother, Elizabeth Puleo-Tague, used to surveil his driving, unveiled this disturbing truth. The app recorded Tague’s speed and revealed that about a quarter of his trips involved speeds over 100 mph. Notably, 10% showcased speeds over a staggering 120 mph, and this was in the mere 17-day period leading to the fatal crash.

Failed Intervention

Text messages reveal Tague’s mother was no stranger to her son’s dangerous driving habits. In one text, she told Tague, “it scares me to my bone,” urging him to “slow down immediately!” However, she never took definitive action to put a stop to his reckless roadway manners.

Bereaved Family Demand Action

While Tague has been charged with second-degree murder and is presently out on bail, the parents of the late MacKrell believe that Tague’s mother should also face legal consequences. They advocate for accountability, citing “gross negligence” on her part. Anne Vanker, Flynn’s mother ardently believes that “both of them should go to jail.”

Similar Case Recollections

Observers have compared this case with that of Ethan Crumbley, a school shooter in Oxford, Michigan. Crumbley’s parents were separately convicted for failing to secure the gun used in a four-person murder spree in 2021. Legal experts are of the view that this case could draw strength from the Crumbley situation and potentially bring about even more concrete consequences for Tague’s mother.

This tragic incident and its aftermath pose critical questions about responsibility, parental supervision, and the tragic consequences of speed thrill on the roads. The bereaved parents’ fight for accountability is not just personal but a broader fight against reckless teen driving and parental negligence that puts innocent lives at risk every day.

Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER

NOVI STAFF WRITER The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.