A 17-year-old male swimmer is facing murder charges after he was the driver in an accident that resulted in the death of another swimmer, Flynn Mackrell, in November.
Mackrell, 18, died on Nov. 17 in a single-vehicle car crash in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. The car was driven by the now 17-year-old swimmer charged, who was 16 at the time.
The driver, who, as a minor, will remain unnamed, was allegedly driving in a residential area when he lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road, hitting a utility pole and a tree, fatally wounding Mackrell.
The crash occurred at 9:05 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the area of Ridge Road between Moran Road and Lewiston Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.
The driver was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
“The defendant is not being charged as an adult; he has been adult designated,” the Wayne County press release reads.
“This means that upon conviction an adult designation allows the judge to have the option of sentencing the defendant as a juvenile, or as an adult, or to fashion a blended juvenile sentence with the option of imposing an adult sentence if the juvenile is not rehabilitated.”
Grosse Pointe Farms Police reported that both Mackrell and the driver were belted into their seats upon their arrival, but found Mackrell unresponsive.
The driver reportedly sustained serious, life-threatening injuries in the crash.
“The evidence in this case will show that the defendant was driving in a residential neighborhood at speeds that rival speeding on our Michigan freeways. Sadly, Mr. Mackrell lost his life as a result. We know that the rules of the road exist for a reason, speed kills. Driving 25 in a residential neighborhood is mandated, not a mere suggestion,” said Prosecutor Worthy.
The preliminary hearing for the driver was held on Thursday, March 21, and he received a $10,000 cash/surety bond.
His preliminary examination is scheduled for April 3 at 10 a.m.
Mackrell attended and competed for Grosse Pointe South High School in boys’ high school swimming. He last competed at the 2023 MHSAA Boys Division 2 State Championships in March.
The accident resulted in the season-opening dual meet between GP South and the University of Detroit Jesuit being canceled on Dec. 2.
Mackrell also represented the Grosse Pointe Gators and the Country Club of Detroit in club swimming.
On February 23, GP South Swimming & Diving announced that it will honor Lane 11 in memory of Mackrell.
The Starting Block of Lane 11 will serve as a permanent reminder of Flynn’s passion, dedication, and indelible mark on our hearts. May this memorial serve as a beacon of remembrance, inspiring all who pass by to cherish his memory and the profound impact he had on our community. Forever in our thoughts, Flynn will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Fly High Flynn. Your kindness and warmth continue to inspire us all.
$10,000 bond for a murder charge? Also, how is this even categorized as murder unless there is some kind of audio or documentation intended to commit such a crime?
Unfortunately because of the circumstances they are suggesting he knew the actions were putting others at risk and still did it
Flynn was a great kid. We shared some great moments as coach and swimmer. His loss has left a large hole in our hearts in the swimming community. I will remember him most from when he “buddy swam” with a multiply impaired swimmer in our summer league meets.
Driving laws in MD do not allow new drivers to drive other minor passengers that are not siblings. They have to wait a long time to drive with minor passengers. I like the law. So sorry for these families.
Any update on the crash involving the Wyoming swimmers that 3 were killed in a couple of weeks ago? Horrible to hear about this with anyone but hits a little harder when it’s from our swimming family!
It’s always excessive speed and aggressive driving
I always had a mental list of friends I would not accept a ride with, because I knew their personality lended to that type of driving
How terrible, absolutely dreadful.
But… this is related to swimming, how?
A swimmer died. Is that not enough for you?
The headline features the word “swimmer” twice…..🤦♀️
I know this happens everywhere, but sadly, my community north of Dallas has had multiple fatal accidents Just like this every year for the past decade, it’s almost always high school kids racing down city streets, where they lose control or hit a curb, and then very bad things happen.
A couple of years ago one of the victims was the brother of a girl who had died in the same kind of accident just two years prior
It’s a horrible and tragic loss of life either way, but the fact that no lessons ever seem to be learned within our community is incredibly sad
Such a tragedy. From a purely legal standpoint as a non-lawyer, should “murder” apply to this accident? I feel like these things are typically more in the “manslaughter” realm? Please educate me…
According to Michigan law:
Second-degree murder is either:
The charge seems to apply to the latter.
so was he speeding or under the influence or something?
‘”The evidence in this case will show that the defendant was driving in a residential neighborhood at speeds that rival speeding on our Michigan freeways. Sadly, Mr. Mackrell lost his life as a result. We know that the rules of the road exist for a reason, speed kills. Driving 25 in a residential neighborhood is mandated, not a mere suggestion,” said Prosecutor Worthy.’
I think going excessively fast in a 25 zone qualifies as reckless disregard for human life. No intoxicant required. Read the entire article before commenting.
More specifically, 2nd degree murder requires a finding of malice. Michigan courts have held that malice includes “the intent to do an act in wanton and willful disregard of the likelihood that the natural tendency of such behavior is to cause death or great bodily harm,” which includes “the intent to create a very high risk of death or great bodily harm with the knowledge that death or great bodily harm is the probable result.”
here is a source in the Michigan second-degree murder law:
https://www.findlaw.com/state/michigan-law/michigan-second-degree-murder-law.html
Second degree in Michigan means either the unplanned intentional killing (doubt they’re going for that) or reckless disregard for human life.
I personally think an involuntary manslaughter charge would fit better: https://www.findlaw.com/state/michigan-law/michigan-involuntary-manslaughter-law.html
But it seems like the prosecutor is trying to send a message
The plea bargain will be down to manslaughter and then the conviction will be as a juvenile. No reason to destroy 2 young lives when 1 is already lost.
None of us should be solely defined by the worst thing we have ever done.
we were all young once, granted if the speeds were 90+ okay, but 50-60 give me a break. Murder charges? He has suffered serious injuries, there was no drinking or drugs involved.
Charge him with use of car as deadly weapon, or something, but murder? His life will already be ruined due to the trauma he’ll face everyday
50-60 *in a neighborhood*.
Do you think that speed limits exist just because the authorities like to stomp on your fun? They are calculated by very smart people to determine what is safe on, say, a curvy or narrow road. Or a *road where there are pedestrians and children playing*.
Going 35 over what experts deem to be safe should absolutely have the most serious consequences. It certainly did for his passenger.
What if he hit a child playing in their front yard? Then would you be okay with a murder charge?
I understand that everyone needs friends and support. I’m glad you support your friend/family member. But you don’t have to do it in public by fighting people and… Read more »
Swim fan, You didn’t lose your swimmer, we did.
. Believe it or not this could have been worse as the tree stopped the car from going into a house, or another car with a driver. The driver of the car was in excess of 60 over the residential speed limit (90+ in a 25 zone).