IDENTIFIED: Chowchilla officer killed in 2-vehicle crash

CHOWCHILLA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The metropolis of Chowchilla has identified the on-duty constabulary serviceman who mislaid his beingness Friday nighttime aft his patrol conveyance collided with a large rig.

Mayor Kelly Smith says Ray Barrantes was the Chowchilla constabulary serviceman successful the marked Ford Explorer that collided with a Freightliner attempting to transverse State Route 152 astatine the intersection of Road 13 successful Madera County.

Around 10:30 p.m., officers with the Madera-area California Highway Patrol were notified of the collision successful which they said Officer Barrantes was traveling eastbound connected Highway 152, portion the motortruck pulling a acceptable of doubles filled with tomatoes, was traveling southbound connected Road 13.

While the truck's operator began to transverse the lanes of the 152, officers said, the beforehand of Barrantes's patrol conveyance struck the close broadside of the Freightliner’s rear trailer and became lodged underneath.  

Both vehicles, on with spilled produce, blocked some lanes of postulation connected Road 13, and portion of the eastbound SR-152.

Investigators said Barrantes died astatine the scene.

The 36-year-old antheral operator of the Freightliner, from Firebaugh, was uninjured.

Officers accidental neither drugs, nor alcohol, look to beryllium a origin successful this crash.

Additionally, Mayor Smith says, "In grant and representation of Officer Barrantes, I person directed that each flags astatine City facilities beryllium flown astatine half-staff until October 12, 2025. I invitation our assemblage members, schools, and businesses to articulation america successful this motion of respect and remembrance for Officer Barrantes and his family."