Allegedly, the driver was on drugs.
This weeks’ Friday FAIL is taking a more serious, somber tone with the story coming out of Ontario, California. Allegedly a man took a Chevrolet Corvette on a test drive at CarMax, lost control, and hit a tree, fatally injuring the salesman riding with him.
According to the LA Times, 28-year-old Alex Mark Demetro of Union City, went to CarMax to test drive a Chevrolet Corvette on Tuesday afternoon. During the test drive, he lost control of the sports car and smashed into a tree, fatally injuring the Warren Smale, the 43-year-old salesman from Montclair, in the passenger seat. According to witnesses, the car was going at least 70 mph.
Smale was immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.
Demetro was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence of drugs, according to police. He was released on Wednesday after posting $100,000 bail. He has not been charged.
According to police, Demetro was “on more than one prescription medication,” said Sgt. Jeff Higbee of the Ontario Police Department. Police are waiting on the toxicology results before further details are released. Demetro was also driving on a suspended license as well.
Under CarMax’s procedures, the license was scanned and inspected to verify the identity of the customer, confirm that it is not expired, and that it is not forged. The system does not, however, determine if it is suspended due to the fact that the company does not have access to those records.
“In addition, CarMax has procedures and personal safety guidelines that encourage associates to seek a manager’s assistance if they have concerns for their safety at any time,” the CarMax statement said.
The family of Smale was shocked and saddened at the incident. His father, Dennis Smale, told KABC-TV Channel 7 “There’s no forgiveness. When you take drugs, you know what you’re doing.”
CarMax is working with police in the investigation that is still ongoing.
Source: LA Times, KABC-TV Channel 7
How sad is this test drive accident?
