CHOWCHILLA - Late Friday evening, the Merced Communications Center of the California Highway Patrol received a call of a two-vehicle traffic collision involving a police vehicle on State Route 152 at Road 13. CHP Madera Area officers responded to the scene to investigate and found a Chowchilla Police vehicle and a Freightliner truck pulling doubles loaded with tomatos, involved in a fatal collision.
A 36-year-old man from Firebaugh was driving a Freightliner, traveling southbound on Road 13, traversing the intersection at SR-152. An on-duty Chowchilla Police Officer was driving a marked Chowchilla Police Department patrol vehicle (a Ford Explorer) eastbound on SR-152, in the number one lane, approaching the intersection at Road 13. As the Freightliner attempted to cross the eastbound lanes of the intersection, the front of the patrol vehicle struck the right side of the Freightliner’s rear trailer.
The patrol vehicle became stuck under the trailer. Tomatoes spilled onto the roadway and both vehicles came to rest, blocking both traffic lanes on Road 13 and the south road edge of eastbound SR-152. Despite the immediate response of emergency personnel, the officer tragically succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Freightliner was not injured. Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor.
This crash is still under investigation. California Highway Patrol – Central Division Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) responded to the scene to gather evidence and determine what led to this tragedy.
The officer has been identified as Raymond Barrantes (37). He has served fifteen years in law enforcement, the last two with the Chowchilla Police Department. Prior to joining the CPD, Barrntes served in West Sacramento in Yolo County. His wife and three children survive him.
“Our city is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Chowchilla Police Officer Ray Barrantes, who passed away following a traffic accident late Friday night. On behalf of the City Council and the entire Chowchilla community, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Officer Barrantes’ family. We are holding them in our hearts and prayers as they face this unimaginable loss.”, Chowchilla Mayor Kelly Smith said in a statement.
Chowchilla Chief of Police Jeff Palmer said, “Moments of tragedy like this are devastating to our department and especially the family of this amazing officer. It is going to take time for our department to heal from this tragic loss.”
In honor and memory of Officer Barrantes, Mayor Smith has directed that all flags at City facilities be flown at half-staff until October 12, 2025.
