THE father of convicted car crash killer Mackenzie Shirilla has broken his silence after being put on leave from his teaching job following backlash over a new Netflix documentary.

Steve Shirilla confirmed he has been placed on administrative leave while his school investigates allegations made online.

Mugshot of Mackenzie Shirilla.
Mackenzie Shirilla was 17 when she drove 100 mph into a brick wall on July 31, 2022Credit: ohio.gov
 

A severely damaged black car, mangled and twisted, with its engine compartment completely destroyed.
Mackenzie crashed the car into a brick building, resulting in the death of her boyfriend Dominic and their friend DavionCredit: WKYC
The fallout comes after Netflix released The Crash, a documentary revisiting the deadly 2022 wreck in Strongsville, Ohio.

Mackenzie was 17 when she drove 100 mph into a brick wall on July 31, 2022.

The crash killed her boyfriend Dominic Russo and their friend Davion Flanagan.

A judge later found Mackenzie guilty of murder and aggravated vehicular homicide.

Mackenzie Shirilla with an unknown man.
Dominic Russo, Mackenzie’s boyfriend, died in the crashCredit: FAcebook/natalieshirilla

Davion Flanagan posing with two blurred individuals and a small dog.
Mackenzie and Dom’s friend Davion Flanagan was also killed in the crashCredit: Facebook/Scott Flanagan
She was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison with the chance of parole after 15 years.

The case has now been thrust back into the spotlight by the Netflix documentary.

Her father, Steve, works as an art and digital media teacher at Mary Queen of Peace School in Cleveland, according to the school’s website.

He has now been placed on administrative leave after comments he made in the documentary.

A man and woman seated at a table, looking troubled.
Mackenzie’s father Steve Shirilla has been put on administrative leave while his school investigates allegations made onlineCredit: Netflix/The Crash
 

A news broadcast about Steve Shirilla being on administrative leave, with a background of a large green tree in front of a building.
Mary Queen of Peace School sent an email to parents after the backlash eruptedCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Steve confirmed the leave to CBS affiliate WOIO and said the school is investigating.

He said that is all he knows about the matter.

Steve also said he is upset with the way the documentary was edited.

He claimed there was more that he said that did not make it into the final version.

Mackenzie Shirilla crying in court as a deputy sheriff stands behind her.
She was found guilty of murderCredit: WKYC
 

Bricks shattered on the corner of a building from a car crash.
The brick wall where Mackenzie crashed the car killing two peopleCredit: WKYC
He also told the outlet he believes his daughter is innocent.

Steve said he believes there is more to the story.

“We are investigating allegations made on social media that one of our teachers has demonstrated poor judgment,” Mary Queen of Peace School said in an email to parents after the release of the documentary.

“Upon learning of the allegation the school acted immediately and placed the teacher on administrative leave.

“The investigation is ongoing.”

The school said the safety and trust of students remained among its highest priorities.

“We take all student concerns seriously and are committed to responding promptly and responsibly whenever concerns are brought forward,” the message said.

The school added that it was limited in what it could say during an active personnel investigation.

A parent said that students loved and respected Steve as a teacher, and the parent understood a father wanting to support his daughter.

But they said the way the case and documentary attention had unfolded was drawing a negative spotlight on the school.

“As a parent, I can understand the want to support and protect your daughter,” the parent told WOIO.

“However, I do think the way a lot of this was handled by the parents wasn’t tasteful.”

The parent said the school and students should not be targeted for the actions of a teacher’s child.

“No amount of background checks on Mr. Shirilla will show something that his daughter will do two years after he is hired,” the parent said.

The parent added that Mary Queen of Peace serves children between the ages of five and 14.

“There is no reason to be threatening an elementary school,” the parent said.

They also said their thoughts and prayers were with the families affected by the deadly crash.

The renewed backlash comes years after the high-profile trial that stunned the community.

Prosecutors said Mackenzie intentionally drove into the building in what they described as a deliberate act.

The defense argued the crash was a tragic accident.

But the judge found Mackenzie guilty, saying the evidence showed she had chosen a course of death and destruction.

She is now serving a life sentence as the new Netflix documentary brings the case, and her family, back under scrutiny.