Flynn Michael Foundation
In Loving Memory of
Flynn Michael MacKrell
July 11, 2005 - November 17, 2023
Saving Lives Through Advocacy and Change
Flynn Michael was just 18 years old when his life was tragically cut short by a preventable reckless driving incident. Our foundation works tirelessly to advocate for stronger laws, educate communities, and prevent other families from experiencing this devastating loss.
Together, we can create meaningful change and save lives through the Flynn Michael Law and comprehensive parental accountability measures.
Our Mission
To save lives by advocating for stronger laws, increased parental accountability, and comprehensive education to prevent reckless teen driving tragedies. We honor the memory of Flynn MacKrell, whose life was cut short by a reckless teen driver, by fighting to ensure no other family endures this preventable loss.
Stronger Laws
Weak accountability laws – In Michigan, teens who cause deaths through reckless driving are too often shielded by juvenile sentencing and blended sentencing loopholes.
Accountability
Parental negligence goes unpunished – Parents who knowingly allow dangerous driving, even after repeated warnings and clear evidence of risk, rarely face legal consequences. Too often, parents look the other way, or even provide faster cars, despite knowing their teen is driving recklessly. Without laws that hold parents criminally negligent when their inaction enables these crimes, the cycle of reckless teen driving will not stop.
Education & Awareness
Public awareness is dangerously low: many teens and parents underestimate the criminal and lifelong consequences of reckless driving, and driver education programs fail to adequately address the dangers of speeding, drag racing, and reckless driving.
The Devastating Reality
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 16–19 year-olds, and speeding is one of the single biggest killers within those crashes.
Source: CDC, National Vital Statistics System
Leading cause of death
for teens aged 16-19
Of fatal teen crashes
involve speeding (NHTSA 2021)
Michigan teen fatalities
caused by "speed too fast" (2023)
Preventable
with proper accountability
Top Risk Factors in Fatal Teen Crashes
Speeding
The #1 hazardous action in Michigan teen fatal crashes
Distracted Driving
A leading contributing factor in teen fatalities
Not Using Seatbelts
Combined with other risky behaviors increases fatality risk
Source: CDC, NHTSA, and Michigan traffic safety data
Our Focus Areas
Through targeted initiatives, we address the root causes of reckless driving and work toward meaningful change.
Teen Driver Education
Developing comprehensive educational programs that teach young drivers about the serious consequences of reckless driving and promote responsible behavior behind the wheel.
Legislative Reform
Working with lawmakers to strengthen traffic safety laws, increase penalties for reckless driving, and ensure consistent enforcement across jurisdictions.
Victim Support
Parents who knowingly allow dangerous driving face little to no legal consequence – Without stronger parental accountability laws, there's no deterrent for enabling reckless behavior. Blended sentencing and juvenile justice reform are essential.
Public Campaigns
Creating awareness campaigns that change public perception about reckless driving and promote a culture of safety and responsibility on our roads.
The Flynn Michael Law
Advocating for meaningful legislative reform in Michigan to ensure accountability for deadly reckless driving.
The Problem
In Michigan, when a teen driver kills someone through egregious reckless driving — such as drag racing, extreme speeding, or intentional stunts — they are often shielded from adult consequences simply because the offense does not involve drugs, alcohol, or a firearm.
Current law requires prosecutors to petition for a juvenile to be waived into adult court. This process can be inconsistent and fails to reflect the severity of a death caused by deliberate reckless driving. Families whose loved ones are killed often watch offenders treated as juveniles, facing minimal accountability for irreversible harm.
The Solution
The Flynn Michael Law ensures that when a juvenile 15 years of age or older engages in grossly reckless driving that causes a death, they are automatically prosecuted in adult court if the offense includes:
- Drag racing, illegal speed contests, or exhibitions of speed
- Driving 50+ mph over the posted speed limit
- Fleeing or evading law enforcement
- Reckless driving that shows a wanton disregard for human life
Why This Matters
This legislation ensures that the consequences match the severity of the crime. When young drivers make deliberate choices that result in death, they must face appropriate accountability. The Flynn Michael Law provides consistency, justice for families, and sends a clear message about the value of human life.
Join Our Movement
Together, we can end the culture of speed and recklessness that devastates families and communities. Every voice matters in our fight for safer roads.