SAN DIEGO COUNTY (Wire Service) - California Highway Patrol officers in San Diego County arrested 69 suspected drunken drivers from Friday evening, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m. to just before midnight on Tues., Dec. 25, which were six fewer than the tally for the same period last year, the CHP reported today.

Three vehicle occupants were killed during the reporting period that started at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, law enforcement agencies throughout San Diego County reported. Three fatalities were Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] also reported during last year's reporting period.

CHP officers throughout the state arrested 1,170 suspected drunken drivers on freeways and on roads in unincorporated areas during the reporting period, 190 more than during the same time period last year, according to the CHP.

Statewide, 39 traffic fatalities occurred during the reporting period this year. Law enforcement agencies reported 14 fatalities during the same period last year.

The CHP arrest totals do not include arrests by other police agencies, although the fatality total includes all jurisdictions.