A 32-year-old Sonoma man died in a head-on crash early Tuesday On Highway 121 in Schellville, the CHP reported.
Brian Steiner, who was only partially belted into his 1993 Ford Escort, died at the crash scene, the CHP reported.
Steiner was driving south on the rural highway at about 5:10 a.m. Tuesday when his car crossed over the double yellow lines.
The Escort smashed into a 2000 Toyota Corolla driven by Nadine Birden, 63, of Vacaville.
Birden was taken by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa. She reportedly suffered moderate injuries.
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.
What caused Steiner to change lanes wasn?t known.
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.
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.
The crash closed the highway for about three hours for the investigation and the removal.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: