Sonoma man dies in crash

<p>A 32-year-old Sonoma man died in a head-on crash early Tuesday On Highway 121 in Schellville, the CHP reported.</p><p>Brian Steiner, who was only partially belted into his 1993 Ford Escort, died at the crash scene, the CHP reported.</p><p>Steiner was driving south on the rural highway at about 5:10 a.m. Tuesday when his car crossed over the double yellow lines. </p><p>The Escort smashed into a 2000 Toyota Corolla driven by Nadine Birden, 63, of Vacaville.</p><p>Birden was taken by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. She reportedly suffered moderate injuries.</p><p>CHP Officer Jaret Paulson said there didn’t appear to be ice on the roadway at the time of the crash, but it was raining.</p><p>What caused Steiner to change lanes wasn’t known.</p><p>Steiner hadn’t fastened the lap portion of his seat belt, Paulson said. That year of Escort had automatic shoulder restraints but the lap portion must be buckled manually.</p><p>Whether that played a role in Steiner’s death remains under investigation, Paulson said. An investigation into a recent fatal accident in Napa with a similar style car indicated the lack of the fastened lap belt was a significant factor in the person’s death, he said.</p><p>The crash closed the highway for about three hours for the investigation and the removal.</p>