Case Timeline
From Toyota's internal discovery of the brake defect to the conviction and beyond — every key date that matters.
Toyota Discovers Vacuum Pump Defect
During a test drive at their Texas manufacturing plant, Toyota engineers discover the brake vacuum pump defect in the 2018 Camry. The pump can fail silently, removing power brake assist without any dashboard warning to the driver.
First Recall Filed (18V-211)
Toyota files the initial recall covering just 6,046 vehicles. This narrow scope means the vast majority of affected Camrys remain on the road with the potential brake defect unaddressed.
Toyota Dispatches Engineer to Crash Site
Toyota sends an engineer to a crashed 2018 Camry to retrieve the vehicle's onboard computer. This internal investigation suggests Toyota was aware of real-world brake failures linked to the vacuum pump issue.
Second Vacuum Pump Failure Mode Reported
A Toyota dealer reports a new failure mode of the brake vacuum pump from field service. This confirms the defect is not limited to the original batch and continues to manifest in vehicles already in customer hands.
Major Recall 21V-890 Filed
Toyota files the significantly expanded recall 21V-890, now covering 227,490 vehicles — nearly 38 times the original recall. The scope reveals how widespread the vacuum pump brake failure risk truly was.
Only 26.3% Recall Completion
Just two weeks before the crash, NHTSA data shows only 26.3% of the recalled vehicles have been repaired. That means approximately 168,000 vehicles remain on the road with a potentially defective brake vacuum pump.
The Crash — Strongsville, Ohio
Mackenzie Shirilla's 2018 Toyota Camry crashes at approximately 100 mph into a building in Strongsville, Ohio. Passengers Dominic Russo (20) and Davion Flanagan (19) are killed. The EDR records 100% accelerator and no brake application.
Forensic Expert Inspects Vehicle
A forensic expert conducts the first detailed inspection of the crashed vehicle. The brake vacuum pump, a critical component under active recall, becomes a focal point of the independent investigation.
Trial and Conviction
Mackenzie Shirilla is tried and convicted of murder. She is sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. The defense argued POTS (a medical condition) but never raised the vehicle defect.
Appeals & Ongoing Advocacy
The case is currently in the appeals process. Advocates and investigators continue to examine the vehicle evidence, the Toyota recall history, and the EDR data limitations to build a case for a fair trial.
The timeline tells the story.
Toyota knew about this defect for years before the crash. The recall was filed, but the repair rate was catastrophically low. These facts deserve to be heard in court.