Everett man pleads guilty in crash that killed son

EVERETT — An Everett man admitted Tuesday that he caused a 2012 crash that killed his 7-year-old son.

Josiah Alves, a second-grader at Madison Elementary School in Everett, was riding in the front passenger seat when his father lost control of his BMW and slammed into an oncoming minivan. The boy died at the scene.

Prosecutors alleged that John Alves was racing another car on Evergreen Way at the time of the crash.

Alves, 32, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in Snohomish County Superior Court. He faces nearly two years in prison. Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Tobin Darrow has agreed to recommend just over a year, the low end under state guidelines.

Alves is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 22. He remains out of custody.

Police believe Alves was high on marijuana at the time of the crash. State toxicologists reported that he tested at 10 nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood — twice the legal limit of 5 nanograms.

Alves has a 2002 felony conviction for methamphetamine possession.

Prosecutors alleged that on Oct. 30, 2012, Alves was stopped behind another BMW at a red light on Evergreen Way and 75th Street SE. Witnesses told detectives that the both men sped through the intersection once the light turned green. Alves weaved in and out of traffic, trying to overtake the other driver, court papers said.

The BMWs clipped each other as they toggled for the lead. The force caused Alves to lose control of his car. He ended up sliding broadside into an oncoming minivan.

The van struck the passenger side of Alves’ car. Josiah died of head injuries.

Detectives reconstructed the scene and estimated that the men were driving at least 50 mph when their cars collided.

The other driver, Jacob Friesen, eventually pleaded guilty to reckless driving and served 30 days in the county jail.

Alves told cops that he allowed Josiah to ride in the front seat as a reward.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley