Police: Teen, Man Were Racing Before Deadly Crash

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga.,None — Police in Gwinnett County arrested a second driver in connection with a deadly crash after authorities said the two drivers were racing.

Investigators from the Gwinnett County Police Accident Investigation Unit arrested Joseph Evancho, 24, of Dacula, Tuesday evening.

Police said they believe Jason Polo, 18, was racing Evancho, who was driving a 2007 Mercedes Benz ML63 AMG when the accident occurred just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Hamilton Mill Parkway.

Investigators said Polo was driving a 1992 Honda Civic when he crashed into a tree situated on a raised median between the north and south lanes of the parkway.

Authorities said two passengers were ejected from the vehicle. One of the ejected, identified as 18-year-old Emmanuel Marrero, of Dacula, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other ejected victim was identified as 18 year-old Carlos Bonilla, also of Dacula. He remained in critical condition.

Polo and another passenger were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center.

Marrero, Bonilla and Polo are all students at Dacula High School.

Police charged Polo with one count of vehicular homicide, one count of serious injury by motor vehicle and one count of reckless driving. Officials said Wednesday they would also charge Polo with racing.

Evancho was charged with one count of vehicular homicide in the first degree, one count of serious injury by motor vehicle, one count of reckless driving and one count of racing.

Police said they do not believe Polo and Evancho's cars ever hit each other.

The investigation continues.

WSBTV