A Michigan couple is seeking justice after losing their 18-year-old star-athlete son in a tragic 100-mph crash. They are holding the driver’s mother accountable after text messages revealed that she was aware of her son’s reckless speeding habit but still allowed him to drive her high-performance vehicles.
On November 17, Kiernan Tague, 17, picked up his friend Flynn MacKrell, 18, from his parents’ home in Grosse Pointe, a suburb of Detroit. Just five minutes after picking up MacKrell in a BMW X3 M series, Tague lost control of the vehicle while traveling at 105 mph in a 25-mph zone, crashing into a post and then a tree, resulting in the car splitting in two.
Tragically, MacKrell, a freshman swimmer at the University of Dayton, died on impact while Tague sustained serious injuries but survived. Tague was later charged with second-degree murder and is currently out on bail awaiting trial in Wayne County.
Text messages between Tague and his mother, Elizabeth Puleo-Tague, revealed her knowledge of his reckless driving behavior. She even warned him about his speeding habits, but despite this, she allowed him access to high-speed vehicles like the BMW that was involved in the fatal crash.
The MacKrell family plans to use these messages to show that Puleo-Tague failed to take reasonable actions to prevent her son from driving, despite being aware of his dangerous behavior. They believe that she enabled him by providing access to vehicles capable of reaching speeds of 177 mph.
Investigators also uncovered a history of discord between Tague and his mother, including incidents where he used her credit cards without permission and engaged in reckless driving despite her objections. This pattern of behavior culminated in the tragic crash that claimed MacKrell’s life.
While no charges have been filed against Puleo-Tague at this time, the MacKrell family hopes to hold her accountable for her role in the events leading up to the fatal crash. They draw parallels to cases like the 2021 Oxford High School shooting where the parents of the shooter were convicted for failing to prevent the tragedy.
Tague, now facing second-degree murder charges, is being prosecuted as an “adult designated” but not as an adult. The MacKrell family is adamant that he should face the consequences of his actions and receive a significant prison sentence if convicted.
The Post reached out to Tague’s lawyer for comment, and the case is still awaiting a trial date. Second-degree murder in Michigan carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and the MacKrell family is determined to seek justice for their son’s untimely death.
