The State - News from Feb. 12, 1985

A Chico fraternity member who allegedly killed a pledge while drag racing near the Sacramento River two years ago will stand trial on charges of vehicular manslaughter, a judge in Oroville ordered. Michael Davirro, 20, is charged in the death of Jeffrey Long, 23, of Belmont, who was participating in a fraternity initiation for Tau Gamma Theta at California State University, Chico. The California Highway Patrol said in its report that Long and several other pledges were abandoned on a rural road west of Chico and told to find their own way back to campus. One of the pledges returned to Chico and sent Davirro and Michael Ginsberg to pick up the stranded students. The two drivers allegedly decided to race on the street and Long was hit by Davirro’s vehicle, the CHP said.