California

Fugitive Charged in CarMax Test Drive Crash Turned Himself in

The crash left a 43-year-old CarMax employee dead

A 28-year-old man on the run for a few days after being charged in a deadly CarMax test drive crash turned himself in Friday, the San Bernardino District Attorney's Office confirmed.

Alex Demetro, a 28-year-old man from Union City was charged with killing a CarMax salesman after crashing the Corvette during a test drive.

Demetro was declared a fugitive March 15 after skipping a court appearance.

He was released from hail on Feb. 24 after posting $100,000 bail, the San Bernardino County District Attorney said.

The DA said Demetro turned himself in March 18. 

On Feb. 23, Demetro and Warren Smale, a 43-year-old CarMax salesman, were test-driving a red Chevrolet Corvette in Ontario, police said.

Authorities said Demetro was behind the wheel, and had allegedly been using drugs, when he crashed into a tree at a high-rate of speed on Mercedes Drive south of Concours Street. Witnesses said they saw the Corvette speeding.

Smale was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but did not survive. 

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The San Bernardino County District Attorney charged Demetro with a count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving while under the influence of a drug causing injury, and one count of driving when privilege suspended or revoked with priors.

The victim, Warren Smale, was mourned by his friends and family who said the Montclair man has moved to California from Pennsylvania to find a good job.

"Today is an incredibly sad day for the CarMax family," CarMax officials said in a statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to our associate's family. CarMax is working closely with the authorities on the investigation."

Demetro was set to appear in court Tuesday.

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