PNC branch manager dies in crash
Published 8:30 pm Thursday, August 13, 2015
A 33-year-old Selma man died in a car crash Wednesday night in Lowndes County.
Calvin Drake Jr. was killed when the 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche he was driving left the roadway and overturned around 5:45 p.m., according to Corporal Jess Thornton, an Alabama State Trooper.
Drake, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash happened on U.S. Highway 80, near Alabama 97 at the 113 mile marker.
No additional details on the accident were released by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
PNC Bank confirmed Drake had served as bank manager at their Selma branch.
“An amazing coach, leader and mentor to all those he worked with,” said Dan Green, regional manager for PNC Atlanta. “He set standards for excellence within the bank.”
Drake was promoted in June to sales and service support manager for the Montgomery and Auburn areas for PNC.
“It was evident to all of us that Calvin was in his element when he was visiting branches and using his sales [and] service knowledge to help the Montgomery and Auburn region,” said Scott Stafford, PNC market manager for Georgia and Alabama.
“For those that had the pleasure of meeting/working with Calvin, we all know that his selection as sales and service support manager (SSSM) was a perfect fit and that the Montgomery Auburn region and our Georgia/Alabama market has lost a leader that had a smile that radiated to all that he met.”
Drake was married to Heather Jermaine Drake. The couple had several children.
“He had only started to make a difference beyond what he had already accomplished at the Selma branch and will be greatly missed,” Stafford said. “Calvin was one of those employees that spoke often and proudly about his wife and four children.”
Drake’s co-workers called him a leader and said he will be greatly missed.
“He always carried a coaching binder that said ‘extraordinary’ that was given to him by a former team he managed. This one word described him, his passion for his family,” said Jimmy Hyde, branch manager for PNC Bank.
“We all know Calvin as the most punctual guy we know and many of us felt like he was our big brother,” said Jonathan Avant, PNC branch manager. “The biggest and best smile you will ever see. We will miss him dearly.”
Randall Miller Funeral Service is handling the funeral arrangements, but details had not been finalized by Thursday afternoon.