Plumas Lake man charged in tot's death

A Plumas Lake man, accused of running a stop sign in January and causing a collision that claimed the life of a 4-year-old boy, faces a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge.

Prosecutors on Monday charged Jessie Campos, 19, with the death of Ronald Edward Berry III, who died Jan. 30 after a vehicle collision at Ostrom and Rancho roads.

If convicted, Campos faces up to one year in the Yuba County Jail.

The case is filed in Yuba County Superior Court.

Investigators said Campos drove through a stop sign and broadsided a Honda Civic in which the child was a passenger.

Pat McGrath, Yuba County district attorney, said neither drugs nor alcohol were involved in the fatal wreck.

"There was no DUI and no gross negligence," McGrath said, explaining why a misdemeanor was charged and not a felony. "Any time someone blows through a stop signs and someone dies, it's a crime."

The California Highway Patrol requested the misdemeanor charge.

McGrath said the evidence against Campos "clearly doesn't rise to the level" of a felony.

In January, CHP officers said Campos was "unfamiliar" with the area, which contributed to the crash. Officers also said Campos was "shaken and remorseful" and admitted running the stop sign.

No court dates were set Tuesday.

Efforts to reach Campos were not successful.

Citing advice from her attorney, Misty Martin, Ronald Berry's mother, declined comment on Tuesday.

The child was seated in a booster seat in the front passenger seat of the Honda. The driver, Ronald Berry Sr., suffered moderate injuries, but declined medical treatment at the scene, the CHP said.

Campos and his passenger, Vanessa Franken, 18, were not hurt.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.