‘It was really bad’: Witnesses recall deadly crash involving Chowchilla officer

Barrantes died on the night of October 3 after an accident with a semi-truck at Highway 152 and Road 13 around 10:30 p.m. The Mayor of Chowchilla said he’s ordering flags at all city facilities to be half-staff until October 12. He also encourages anyone else in the area with a flag to do the same.

“I was about to go to sleep and then all of a sudden you hear a crash or something, and I thought it was like a wheel that popped because it sounded like something kind of exploded,” Geraldin Valdez, who lives near the crash, said.

Geraldin and her dad were home last night preparing for bed when they heard a boom.

“I heard, like, a lot. A lot of, like, ambulances and like, police cars and like, it was just like a scary experience because I’ve never seen something really bad,” Valdez said.

The Valdez family lives by the intersection of Highway 152 and Road 13. There, Chowchilla Police said an on-duty officer and a semi-truck hauling tomatoes crashed at 10:30 Friday night. The Officer was identified as Ray Barrantes.

“We heard the contact and I called 911 fast,” Daniel Valdez, Geraldin’s father, said.

“That time, it felt like it was really bad because we heard, like, a big crash, and I thought maybe someone died or something,” Valdez said.

As the investigation continued, tomatoes were still littered on the road. Investigators said the semi was trying to cross Highway 152 when the officer hit the semi’s rear right side. Barrantes died on the scene.

“My parents came in to like our room and told us not to go outside and wait here,” Valdez said.

Chowchilla Police announced the news earlier in the day on social media.

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.
Chief of Police Jeff Palmer

The news was met with a flurry of support from multiple local agencies. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office used an Instagram post to highlight how dangerous driving can be.

The Merced Police Department also took to social media to share their condolences.

Valdez tells me the road near his home is dangerous. He’s lived there for seven years and said there have been at least three deadly crashes there.

“Every time, I drive slowly to the stop. Check it out and make sure it’s clear, then I go,” Valdez said.

Chowchilla’s Police Department is also sending thoughts and prayers to Officer Barrantes’ family.

This officer was a dedicated and respected member of our department and had many years of dedicated law enforcement service.