Union City man arrested after fatal CarMax test drive accident

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- A man from Union City is under arrest after the car he was test driving crashed. It killed the CarMax employee who was riding with him.

CarMax employees say 43-year-old Warren Smale was fun loving and a friend to everyone. Colleagues say Smale worked at the CarMax in San Bernardino County for the past five years.

Tuesday, 28-year-old Alex Demetro of Union City came in to check out a red Corvette. Smale rode along for the test drive. Authorities say Demetro was speeding when he lost control and slammed into a tree around 12:45 in the afternoon. Smale was rushed to the hospital where he died. Demetro suffered minor injuries and was arrested for vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of drugs. Smale's coworkers gathered last night to grieve and remember.

"He was an amazing, amazing person, he was like a father to us, we're all family," said Artiee Guerro, victim's colleague.

CarMax released a statement saying "Today is an incredibly sad day for the CarMax family. Our hearts and prayers go out to our associate's family."

Demetro is charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence of drugs. The county jail log says he is posted bond and has been released. There is no word on whether he returned to Union City.