Kiernan Tague incident
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The Kiernan Tague incident refers to a car crash that occurred on November 17, 2023, in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Kiernan Tague, then 17 years old, was driving a BMW X3 M at a speed of 105 mph in a 25 mph residential zone when he crashed into a pole and a tree. The crash resulted in the death of his passenger, 18-year-old Flynn MacKrell, a freshman swimmer at the University of Dayton. Tague survived the crash but has since been charged with second-degree murder. The incident has sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding the potential criminal liability of Tague's mother, Elizabeth Puleo-Tague, who is accused of enabling her son's reckless driving behavior.[1][2][3][4]
Background
[edit]In the months leading up to the crash, Tague had developed a pattern of extreme speeding, often exceeding 140 mph.[1] His mother, Elizabeth Puleo-Tague, was aware of his dangerous driving habits, as evidenced by text messages she sent him, warning him to slow down.[2] Despite this, she allowed him continued access to powerful vehicles, including the BMW X3 M that was involved in the fatal crash.[citation needed] Some have compared her actions to those of the parents of the Oxford High School shooter, who were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for failing to prevent their son’s actions.[5]
Legal proceedings
[edit]Tague was charged with second-degree murder in March 2024 and is awaiting trial in Wayne County Circuit Court.[1] He is being tried as an "adult designated" juvenile, which means the judge has the discretion to sentence him either as an adult or a juvenile if convicted.[6]
The case has also led to calls for charges against Tague's mother, Elizabeth Puleo-Tague.[7] Flynn MacKrell's family, particularly his mother, Anne Vanker, has been vocal in demanding that Tague's mother be held accountable, arguing that her inaction and continued provision of high-performance vehicles to her son contributed to the fatal crash.[2][5] The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has confirmed that the request for charges against Puleo-Tague is under review.[8]
Public and legal reactions
[edit]The incident has drawn significant media attention, with many debating the extent of parental responsibility in such cases. Legal experts have noted that while the text messages and other evidence against Puleo-Tague are compelling, prosecuting her could be challenging.[5] Comparisons to the Oxford High School shooting case, where the parents were successfully prosecuted, have demonstrated the potential precedent this case might set.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Baldas, Tresa. "'Slow the f--- down': Grosse Pointe mom's texts to son may come back to haunt her". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b c Reporter, Jenna Sundel (2024-08-28). "Mom of Flynn MacKrell, teen killed in high-speed crash, sues driver's mom". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Woman could be charged after teenage son killed friend in car crash". The Independent. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "School Shooting Case Cited In Seeking Charges Against Mother Of Teen Who Caused Fatal High-Speed Crash". Jalopnik. 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b c Fiorillo, Chiara (2024-08-27). "Rich mom's haunting final texts before son's horror crash in family sports car". The Mirror US. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b "'Wasn't an accident': Mom seeks charges against parent of driver in fatal crash". NewsNation. 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ Spencer, Dave (2024-08-26). "Mother of Grosse Pointe teen killed in high-speed crash wants driver's parents charged". FOX 2 Detroit. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Mother of Grosse Pointe teen killed in high-speed crash wants driver's parents charged". Yahoo News. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-29.