Highway 54 Crash Claim Liberal Residents Lives

An early Saturday morning crash has claimed the lives of 2 Liberal residents.

The crash occurred around 9:43am, on Highway 54, 3 miles west of Meade. A 2002 GMC Envoy being driven by Xavier Lemus, 62, of Liberal was eastbound on Highway 54 when he looked around the vehicle in front of him to attempt to pass. He lost control of the vehicle and went into a side skid striking a 2016 Volvo semi being driven by , Vardanian Oganes, 62, of Glendale California, on the drivers side.

The semi ended up in the South lane while the Envoy came to rest in the South ditch.

Lemus was taken to Western Plains Hospital then transferred to Brenneman Funeral Home in Liberal. A passenger in Lemus’ vehicle, Maria C. Castillo-Delemus, 58, died and was taken to Brenneman Funeral Home.

The driver of the Semi was not injured.