In Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a teenage boy recently entered a guilty plea for his involvement in a high-speed crash that resulted in the death of his friend and passenger, 18-year-old Flynn MacKrell. CBS News Detroit reported that Kiernan Tague, who was 16 at the time of the accident on Nov. 17, 2023, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a motor vehicle, drawing back from the initial second-degree murder charge. Scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, Tague faces the possibility of being sentenced as either an adult or a juvenile, and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office mentioned the option of a blended sentence allowing for an adult punishment if Tague fails to show rehabilitation over time.
The reckless driving episode brought tragedy to a family just as the holiday season was about to unfold. Tague was speeding over 100 miles per hour in a residential zone with a 25 mph limit. The victim's mother, Anne Vanker, urged through tears for a maximum sentence, quoted by the Detroit Free Press as saying, "Kiernan needs to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law ... it cannot be a slap on the wrist." MacKrell's death has further intensified the debate on dangerous driving behaviors and the extent of parental accountability.
New video evidence released by police showed Tague had previously driven at almost 140 mph days before the fatal crash. The Detroit Free Press detailed how Tague had an established pattern of dangerous driving, including drag racing and speeding at rates far exceeding the legal limits, recorded through the Life360 app. Tague's remorse was highlighted by his lawyer, Gabi Silver, who stated, "He is so sorry and sad about what happened," and emphasized Tague's eagerness "to take responsibility" to move on from this part.
