CarMax employee killed in crash during test drive in Ontario

[Pardus]

http://abc7.com/news/carmax-employee-killed-in-crash-during-test-drive-in-ontario/1215897/

http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/02/24/carmax-employee-killed-test-drive-dnt.kcbs

http://ktla.com/2016/02/23/car-sale...test-drive-at-ontario-carmax-driver-arrested/

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 06:15PM
ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- A CarMax employee was killed during a test drive after the driver crashed into a tree in Ontario on Tuesday, according to police.

Ontario police said the crash happened on Mercedes Lane south of Concours Street at about 12:45 p.m.

Authorities stated a red Chevrolet Corvette was traveling at a high rate of speed during a test drive when it hit a tree.

Both the driver and passenger were injured, and the passenger, who was an employee of CarMax, was rushed to San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland in critical condition.

Police said the CarMax employee, Warren Dennis Smale, 43, of Montclair, died from his injuries.

The man test driving the car, Alex Mark Demetro, 28, of Union City, was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence of drugs.

MORE: Dad of CarMax salesman killed in test drive says no forgiveness for driver

It's unclear if Demetro exhibited any obvious signs that he was under the influence prior to the test drive.

In a statement, CarMax said, "Today is an incredibly sad day for the CarMax family. Our hearts and prayers go out to our colleague's family. CarMax is working closely with local authorities."

Fellow co-workers set up a makeshift memorial at the scene of the crash.

Ontario police said their investigation was ongoing and asked anyone with information to call the WE-TIP hotline at (800) 782-7463. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

 

[Paladin3]

Wow, that's terrible. Wonder if the salesman thought it was Jeff Gordon on a prank test drive?

/too soon?

 

[Howard]

Ontario, CA... Alrighty then.

 

[master_shake_]

Ontario, CA... Alrighty then.

i was gonna say.

the weather here sucks, i would be shocked if someone took a corvette out for a test drive here.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Did he end up buying the car?

 

[z1ggy]

Did he end up buying the car?

You break you buy

 

[Red Storm]

I guess since it was a Corvette he went with him, but I hate it when sales people come with you on test drives. Sad that he died though.

 

[Bubblehappy]

That's terrible. If the driver was under the influence I hope they throw the book at him. "Let's get all high and go test drive a Vet".

I used to be a salesman at CarMax for a short period of time. You cannot test drive without the salesperson with you, it's policy. They are huge about theft, so that's part of the reason for the policy. Seriously, if you ever tried to steal a car, there's no way you could get it through their security gate. That pole has a 10" braided steal wire running through it. It would take a tank to run through it, believe me I've seen video footage of people that have tried and failed.

I feel for the guy's family and friends. I couldn't imagine.

 

[Drako]

The driver is from the Bay Area. Why was he in SoCal test driving cars? :hmm:

 

[kt]

My office is not far from there and I drive through the scene of the accident every morning to get to work. He must've gone pretty fast, or high out of his mind to hit anything on that street since it's pretty wide street. I may pass by there for lunch to see which tree he hits with the car.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

i was gonna say.

the weather here sucks, i would be shocked if someone took a corvette out for a test drive here.

Was out there last month for work. Basically LA but stinkier because of the treatment plant.

 

[dr150]

The driver is from the Bay Area. Why was he in SoCal test driving cars? :hmm:

Bay Area drivers are the fucking worst.

Constantly texting, conferencing, swerving, speeding, blindly forgoing road rules.

Lots of truth that H1-B visa foreigners drive like maniacs. This ain't Mumbai mofo!

One must learn to drive defensive....ALL...THE....TIME!

 

[purbeast0]

Bay Area drivers are the fucking worst.

Constantly texting, conferencing, swerving, speeding, blindly forgoing road rules.

Lots of truth that H1-B visa foreigners drive like maniacs. This ain't Mumbai mofo!

One must learn to drive defensive....ALL...THE....TIME!

you must have never driven around the DC area.

 

[Midwayman]

That pole has a 10" braided steal wire running through it.

10" What are they trying to hold back? Aircraft carriers? Or maybe female theives...

 

[cbrunny]

Pfft. Ontario is in Canada. Article is a lie. Hoax.



Edit: ok. ok. I'm not heartless. That really sucks for the passenger. I hope the driver goes away for a looooooong time.

 

[Bubblehappy]

10" What are they trying to hold back? Aircraft carriers? Or maybe female theives...

It's a security gate so nobody and sneak in at night and steal cars. It's the only way off of their lot. Last video I saw was from a store where someone tried to steal a F-150, they hit the gate so fast that it nearly tore the entire front end off of the truck. Gate didn't move.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I blame El Nino.

 

[Thebobo]

I blame El Nino.

Whose that?

 

[highland145]

Whose that?

El Teno's younger sibling.

 

[TheVrolok]

you must have never driven around the DC area.

Or Miami

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I guess since it was a Corvette he went with him, but I hate it when sales people come with you on test drives. Sad that he died though.

Its usually not the sales person decision, but that of the dealership.

I remember when the first Honda Civic Si came out during the one month I actually sold cars people were wanting to boost the car through a fake test drive. When I sat in the back seat--not my decision--that made the real nervous.

When we got back to the lot, they parked just inside the dealership property and bolted.

 

[shortylickens]

Or Miami

Well, according to recent statistics, LA has the worst traffic in America and DC is the second worst.
NY got reduced to 3rd a year ago.

 

[TheVrolok]

Well, according to recent statistics, LA has the worst traffic in America and DC is the second worst.
NY got reduced to 3rd a year ago.

Out of curiosity how did they define worst traffic?

 

[shortylickens]

Out of curiosity how did they define worst traffic?

bad drivers (accidents) and times at standstill and other such data. Dept of Transportation has all kinds of metrics. Most of it is used to decide where and when to build new roads.
Some of it more for general conclusions like worst city in America.

 

[Ns1]

dbag is now a fugitive, hopefully he committed seppuku and will spare us all the expense. I wonder where he got the 100k...

Demetro had been arrested on Feb. 23 when he crashed the Corvette into a tree at about 12:45 p.m. on Mercedes Lane near Concours Street during the test drive, said Sgt. Jeff Higbee of the Ontario Police Department.

The Union City, Calif., resident was released from jail the next day after posting on $100,000 bail.

Demetro was scheduled to appear on March 7 in a court in Rancho Cucamonga. But when he didn’t show up, a warrant for his arrest was issued and he was charged in the death of Warren Smale, according to court records.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-driver-carmax-salesman-fugitive-20160315-story.html