Chowchilla, CA (October 5, 2025) – A devastating accident occurred late Friday night, resulting in the death of a police officer in Chowchilla when his patrol car crashed into a semi-truck in Madera County. The deadly incident happened around 10:30 p.m. As reported by the California Highway Patrol, Officer Ray Barrantes was operating a marked Ford Explorer heading east on State Route 152 when he reached the intersection with Road 13 and crashed into a Freightliner truck pulling double trailers loaded with tomatoes. At the moment of the crash, the truck was heading south on Road 13. After the collision, Officer Barrantes’ patrol SUV got stuck under the back trailer of the semi. Despite the quick arrival of emergency personnel, Barrantes succumbed to his injuries at the location of the accident. The 36-year-old driver of the Freightliner from Firebaugh was unharmed in the crash. The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the incident, working to uncover the circumstances leading to the fatal collision. Currently, there are no additional details available, and it remains unclear if factors such as visibility, right-of-way, or road conditions played a role. Officer Ray Barrantes was a committed member of the Chowchilla community, and his passing is strongly felt within local law enforcement and the community. Our condolences go out to Officer Barrantes’ family, friends, and coworkers in this time of great sorrow.
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Note: We provide this information as a public resource to help raise awareness and support those who may be affected by similar incidents. Our intent is to honor the victims of accidents and to provide information that may help others avoid similar tragedies in the future. The photos used in these posts are not representative of the actual accident scene. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
