Man dies after head-on collision; woman charged

A man died last Tuesday after a head-on collision on Highway 46 and North Leonard Avenue.

Donald Frank Steinhaus, 43, was pronounced dead Dec. 15 after being struck by a vehicle driven by Margaret Fladhammer, 61, of Oceano.

The vehicle traveling eastbound on Highway 46 veered into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by Steinhaus.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to the scene. Deputies said Fladhammer was driving under the influence.

Steinhaus’s passenger was taken to a local hospital with what were described as “moderate” injuries. Fladhammer sustained minor injuries.

Fladhammer was arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs resulting in bodily injury, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.