Update: Chowchilla police officer killed in collision while on duty identified
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A Chowchilla on-duty officer died after a collision with a semi on Hwy 152.
- California Highway Patrol investigates fatal crash at Hwy 152 and Road 13.
- Chowchilla Police says officer unnamed, department mourns; details to follow.
A Chowchilla on-duty police officer was killed in a collision with a semi Friday night.
The officer was identified as Ray Barrantes.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision, which happened just after 10:30 p.m. and involved the patrol vehicle and a semi.
The crash happened at Highway 152 and Road 13. Barrantes was pronounced dead at the scene.
CHP said a 36-year-old man from Firebaugh was driving a semi, pulling a set of doubles, loaded with tomatoes and was traveling southbound on Road 13, traversing the intersection at Highway 152.
Barrantes was driving a marked Chowchilla Police Department patrol vehicle (Ford Explorer), eastbound on 152, within the No. 1 lane, approaching the intersection at Road 13. As the semi attempted to cross the eastbound lanes of the intersection, the front of the patrol vehicle struck the right side of the 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 152.
Chowchilla police chief Jeff Palmer issued a statement.
“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,” Palmer said.
Police added that the officer “was a dedicated and respected member of our department and had many years of dedicated law enforcement service.”
Chowchilla Mayor Kelly Smith said flags at City facilities will be flown at half-staff until Oct. 12.
This story was originally published October 4, 2025 at 12:10 PM.
