Police: Racing caused fatal Gwinnett crash

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gwinnett County investigators believe two Dacula men were racing Saturday evening when one of their vehicles ran off Hamilton Mill Parkway and struck a tree, killing one passenger and critically injuring another.

Now both drivers are charged with first-degree vehicular homicide.

Initially, only the driver of the Honda Civic that crashed was arrested.

But Tuesday evening, police arrested Joseph Evancho, 24, and said he was racing his 2007 Mercedez Benz SUV against the 1992 Civic driven by Jason Polo, 18. Both are charged with vehicular homicide, serious injury by motor vehicle, reckless driving and racing.

About 6:25 p.m., Polo was speeding southbound on Hamilton Mill Parkway, near Town Manor Court, when he lost control of the Civic, police said. The car struck a tree on the raised median, ejecting two passengers.

Emmanuel Marrero, 18, of Dacula was killed. Carlos Bonilla, 18, also of Dacula, remained in critical condition at Gwinnett Medical Center on Wednesday.

Polo and another passenger suffered minor injuries.

Investigators are trying to determine whether Marrero and Bonilla were wearing seat belts.

Police said there does not appear to have been any contact between the two vehicles.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is urged to call police at 770-513-5100.