A Santa Rosa man suspected of vehicular manslaughter in a crash that killed two people near Ukiah told officers he'd been adjusting his van's radio while passing another vehicle just before he crashed head-on with a car carrying an Arizona family, a CHP official said Friday.
A CHP investigation Friday into the cause of Thursday morning's crash on Highway 101 focused on the man's admitted distraction.
But investigators also were looking at any other possible factors, including whether Emmanuel Barajas, 22, was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and how fast he was driving, said CHP spokesman Officer Kylar Adams.
Killed in the crash were driver Jonathan Arroyo, 26, and his 3-year-old daughter, Taylor, said CHP acting Sgt. Steve Krul.
Taylor Arroyo had been sitting in the right, rear seat. Arroyo's wife, Kristin, 27, and their 1-year-old daughter, Adalyn, also were injured.
Barajas was northbound in a 2010 Chevy Express van heading into Ukiah at about 11 a.m. when the crash occurred.
He lost control of the van and the vehicle crossed a grassy highway median and moved into the path of family's 1998 blue Cadillac sedan, according to the CHP.
Barajas, who works for Nissan motors in Petaluma, wasn't injured. CHP officers arrested him on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.
He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail and released later after posting bail.
Adalyn Arroyo, who suffered moderate injuries, was being treated at Children's Hospital in Oakland, a spokeswoman confirmed Friday morning. Information about her condition was unavailable.
Kristin Arroyo was treated at Ukiah Valley Medical Center for minor injuries, Krul said.
The CHP accident report indicated Barajas had been using his seat belt. Adams said Kristin Arroyo and the children were wearing seat belts, and that both children were in car seats. Officers are still investigating whether Jonathan Arroyo was wearing a seat belt, he said.
Neither Krul nor sheriff's officials knew why the family was in the area, but Krul said they'd last stopped in Ukiah.
Traffic in the area was subject to delays for more than five hours Thursday because of the crash.
(You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or at glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com.)
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