Fundraiser honors Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan, raises money for youth basketball foundation

BROOK PARK, Ohio (WOIO) - The sister of one of the victims killed when Mackenzie Shirilla crashed her car into a brick wall at 100 mph is raising money for a youth basketball foundation in her brother’s name.

Christine Russo held a fundraiser Saturday at Tavern 150, a bar in Brook Park, collecting donations in person and through a live-streamed podcast called “The Big Sister Unhinged.”

Saturdays event raised money for the Change the Game for Dom Foundation while also bringing awareness to “Dom and Davion’s Law.”

“It’s in honor of my brother,” Russo said. “I feel like I have no control of my brother being gone, so I just keep going.”

About the foundation

The foundation, called “Change the Game for Dom,” will help underprivileged children play basketball, the sport Russo said her brother loved most.

“The sport my brother loved the most,” Russo said during the podcast.

The foundation aims to cover costs that prevent kids from participating, including shoes, equipment, uniforms and league fees.

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The case

Dominic Russo and his friend Davion Flanagan were killed when Shirilla drove her car into a brick wall in Strongsville at 100 mph. Shirilla is serving 15 years to life.

A Netflix documentary called “The Crash,” released in May, brought the case to a global audience and detailed Shirilla’s conviction. The large reaction to the Ohio case is why Russo started a podcast, to handle misinformation she sees online.

Note: Organizers say the Change the Game for Dom Foundation is preparing to apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Until the IRS approves that application, donations are not currently guaranteed to be tax-deductible. Viewers are encouraged to consult a tax advisor regarding their individual situation.