A salesman at an Ontario, California, CarMax was killed Tuesday when a customer took a Corvette for a test drive.
Police said the prospective car buyer was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.
KTLA reported that the crash happened near the CarMax around 12:45 p.m.
The crash happened a few blocks from the used-car retailer, which is at 4100 Inland Empire Blvd.
Witnesses said the car was going at least 70 mph.
Sgt. Jeff Higbee of the Ontario Police Department said Alex Demetro, 28, was driving a red Corvette when it hit a tree and ultimately killed the passenger, 43-year-old car salesman Warren Smale.
Warren was rushed to a hospital where he died.
The Los Angeles Times reported that CarMax is working with officials in the investigation.
"Today is an incredibly sad day for the CarMax family," the company said in a statement Tuesday. "Our hearts and prayers go out to our associate's family."
Smale's friends and co-workers gathered around the tree that the car struck on Tuesday to pray, sing and remember him.
"He was a good human being," friend Robert Sotela told the San Bernardino Sun. "He was a very loving, uplifting person."
Court records say Demetro is being held on $100,000 bail in a San Bernardino County jail.
Demetro faces vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under influence of drugs charges and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
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