California /IN BRIEF : CHICO : Crash Kills Couple, Baby; Man Arrested

A Chico couple and their baby were killed in a three-car New Year’s Eve accident that authorities say was linked to alcohol. The driver of one of the cars was in Butte County Jail on Friday, booked for investigation of drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter, the California Highway Patrol said. The dead were identified as Ray Mendonca, 31, Margaret Mendonca, 28, and their 5-month-old son, Jess, said CHP spokesman Randy Basher. The family’s car was hit from behind by a car driven by Rudolfo Campos, 27, of Gridley, the CHP said. The impact knocked the Mendoncas’ car into oncoming lanes, where it collided with another car. Campos was being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.