Woman celebrating anniversary in Napa Valley killed in bike crash

An Ohio woman who returned to Wine Country to celebrate her first wedding anniversary was killed in a bicycle accident Tuesday afternoon in St. Helena.

Authorities on Wednesday identified the woman as Maria Crozier, 31, of North Ridgeville, Ohio, who died one year to the date of her wedding.

She and her husband, Brad Crozier, 38, had been wine-tasting and were headed back to their hotel shortly before 2 p.m. when she was struck by a truck, according to St. Helena police.

The woman was on a loaner bike from the Harvest Inn, where they had been married a year ago and were staying for their anniversary, Sgt. Matt Talbott said. Her husband was right behind her as they exited a driveway in the 1000 block of Main Street, across the street from the landmark Gott’s Roadside restaurant, when she was struck and killed by a northbound contract mail truck.

“We believe she was going to make a left turn. Instead, she went right into the street, into the side of the truck,” Talbott said.

The collision caused her to hit the ground, where she was run over by the truck’s rear wheels. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crozier, whose maiden name was Vigliucci, had a master’s degree in business and was a manager at PolyOne Corp., a provider of specialized polymer materials and services, according to her LinkedIn profile. Her resume listed a brief stint as an intern for former Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Talbott said it was unclear whether Crozier was familiar with the bicycle’s braking system. Witnesses said the bike with cruiser-style handlebars started wobbling and her feet were off the pedals as she made a slight turn, trying to avoid the crash.

“She was heard to say ‘Oh my God!’” Talbott said.

“She should have stopped, could have stopped,” but for some reason wasn’t able to, he said.

The box truck had been in stop-and-go traffic and was not moving very fast when the accident occurred. The driver was identified as Rafeeq Sabry, 37, of El Sobrante.

“He hadn’t traveled very far, or gotten up much speed, when she ran into the side of it,” Talbott said.

Even though the couple had been wine-tasting at nearby Merryvale Winery, intoxication did not appear to be a factor, according to police. Toxicology tests were being conducted to verify Crozier’s blood-alcohol level.

The winery was the first one the couple had visited that day, and they hadn’t been there long. They purchased a bottle and were headed back to the hotel, according to Talbott.

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @clarkmas.