Fatal accident of Grosse Pointe teenager raises questions about parental responsibility

The parents of a Big Point Teenager killed in high-speed crash is calling on Wayne County Attorney Kym Worthy to file charges against the mother of the young man who was driving.

“This was not an accident, this was a coincidence. It was a lucky coincidence that Flynn's number was drawn because the only person who had the knowledge and authority to stop her was the mother and she didn't do it,” said Flynn MacKrell's father, Thad MacKrell.

Flynn, a freshman at the University of Dayton, had been home for less than an hour when his friend picked him up.

They were about to surprise another friend when the young driver lost control of the SUV, which was reportedly traveling down a residential street at over 105 miles per hour. Grosse Pointe Farms street when he lost control.

The SUV struck a power pole and a tree on Ridge Road near Moran Road. MacKrell died minutes later.

The driver, who was 16 at the time of the accident, was charged with first-degree murder.

But an investigation into his behavior that day and in the days leading up to the crash revealed more details that lead the family to believe Flynn's death could have been prevented if his mother had simply taken the keys away from him.

During the investigation, Flynn's parents learned that the teen's mother knew how fast he was driving. They also learned of other evidence, such as the teen allegedly logging his own speed.

“The pictures he took of himself driving at 155, 147, 123 and 102 are on his phone. And then the mother is also quoted as saying, 'I see you driving at such and such a speed,' and sent Life 360 ​​reports,” said Flynn's mother, Anne Vanker.

“If you communicate with your child about almost any topic – stop doing this, don't do that, someone is getting hurt and the situation is escalating – but you don't intervene and give someone the opportunity to misbehave, there has to be an acknowledgement, especially when something as heinous as the death of a young person happens,” Thad said.

The Wayne County District Attorney's Office said the request was being reviewed. The driver, now 17, was charged with first-degree murder.