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CarMax Salesman Killed During Test-Drive Crash With Alleged DUI Driver
Alex Demetro, the alleged DUI driver. (Image courtesy Ontario P.D.)
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Police arrested a 28-year-old man Tuesday for driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter after he lost control of the car he was test-driving, killing the salesman accompanying him.The crash occurred at around 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, close to the CarMax in Ontario, according to KTLA. The victim was a 43-year-old man named Warren Smale, from Montclair, who worked at CarMax as a salesman.
Smale was transported to San Antonio Regional Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
"He was the guy at work that it didn't matter what kind of day you were having, he was there for you," Smale's coworker Lydia Garrett said to KTLA. "He would make you laugh. He would make you smile."
According to witnesses, the driver, Alex Demetro, was driving the red Chevrolet Corvette at least 70 mph on city surface streets when he lost control crashed into a tree. The victim was crushed between the tree and the rest of the car.
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While police do not believe Demetro was under the influence of alcohol, they do think he may have been under the influence of unspecified drugs.
Demetro is being held on $100,000 bail at San Bernardino County Jail, according to the L.A. Times. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
CarMax released a brief statement saying they are working closely with local police on the investigation, along with issuing their condolences.
"Today is an incredibly sad day for the CarMax family. Our hearts and prayers go out to our associate's family," they wrote in the statement. "CarMax is working closely with the authorities on the investigation."
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