Klamath County Driver Dies After Swerving Into Big Rig On Highway 97

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. — A driver tragically died in a two-vehicle crash near milepost 176 on Highway 97 in Klamath County on Monday, March 31, at 8:46 a.m. after losing control of their car and swerving across the highway.

The Oregon State Police (OSP), assisted by Crescent Fire and ODOT, responded to an accident report, and investigations indicated a northbound Buick LeSabre, driven by Leif Taylor Celusta (34) of Crescent, lost control on Highway 97 before crossing over into the southbound lane.

The Buick struck a southbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer operated by Robert Emil Mewes (58) of Madras.

Speed and roadway conditions are considered to be the primary causes of the crash. The big rig driver, Mewes, was uninjured, but Celusta was declared deceased at the scene.

Highway 97 was affected for about two hours during the on-scene investigation.