A used car salesman died Tuesday after a man slammed a Corvette into a tree during a test drive, California authorities said.
Ontario police Sgt. Jeff Higbee told the Los Angeles Times the driver, Alex Mark Demetro, 28, of Union City, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence of drugs.
The accident occurred around 12:45 p.m. in Ontario. Higbee said witnesses told police that Demetro lost control of the Corvette while speeding down Mercedes Lane, a few blocks from the CarMax dealership. The car reached speeds of about 70 mph, witnesses told KTLA.
The salesman, identified by co-workers as 43-year-old Warren Smale, was transported to San Antonio Regional Hospital in critical condition, but was later pronounced dead due to his injuries from the accident.
CarMax spokeswoman Catherine Gryp called the accident “an incredibly sad day for the CarMax family".
"Our hearts and prayers go out to our associate's family. CarMax is working closely with the authorities on the investigation," she said in a statement.
The Los Angeles Times reported Demetro is being held on $100,000 bail in a San Bernardino jail and will appear in court Thursday.
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