SAN ANTONIO – John Alvarado got a second chance last fall when his son, John Gabriel Alvarado, came back into his life after a 10-year estrangement.
"When I saw him that day, I just broke down in tears," he said.
Over the past year, Gabe, as his father called him, stayed on and off at the elder Alvarado's home. They got to know each other again, he said, having spats but still getting along.
"Even though he wasn't there, he would call me up, and tell me 'I love you,'" Alvarado said. "And I would tell him the same thing."
That relationship was cut off early Friday morning when a Bexar County sheriff's deputy tried to pull over a truck for speeding in west Bexar County near Culebra Road and Bridleback Drive.
The Sheriff's Office said the driver, 22-year-old James Justice, had an outstanding warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm and took off. The younger Alvarado, 27, was riding with him.
The chase route described in the official report covers more than 22 miles, and speeds approached 100 miles per hour.
At one point, a deputy lost control and hit a subdivision sign, causing their airbag to deploy. Finally, Justice's truck crashed into a tree in Castroville, splitting in two. Justice survived with some broken bones. The younger Alvarado died at the scene.
When asked if he blamed the Sheriff's Office for continuing the chase, the elder Alvarado said "I couldn't say blame. You know, I mean, they have a small part in that, you know, but they didn't have to. I don't think they really had to."
Had deputies pulled back, Alvarado thinks the crash might have been avoided.
The BCSO pursuit policy notes in part "There are no easy answers when it comes to deciding when to continue or terminate a high-speed pursuit."
Asked about Friday's chase and the elder Alvarado's sentiment, the Sheriff's Office released this statement:
"It's unfortunate that this man lost his life due to the reckless behavior and disregard for authority displayed by the driver, James Justice. Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of all of those involved."
Alvarado said it's not in him to hate, but he hopes Justice is held accountable.
Though he grieves for his son...Alvarado is glad he got a chance to know him again.
"My son," he said, "he paid that price for somebody else's wrongful doing."
Justice has been booked into the jail but is currently at the hospital. He faces charges for murder, evading arrest and detention and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Though Alvarado grieves for his son, he's thankful he got a chance to reconnect.
"I love my son. I love him," he said. "Whether he's here or not, I still love him."
The following is the BCSO pursuit policy provided to KSAT:
“Violators fleeing in a vehicle by employing high-speed or reckless conduct present an unpredictable danger to the public, officers, and the suspects themselves. There is no legal or scientific basis to conclude that by officers disengaging from a pursuit, the violator will now follow all traffic laws. Reasonable officers know that most pursuits start when an officer observes a moving violation that if left unchecked will ultimately endanger other motorist at a later date or time. There are no easy answers when it comes to deciding when to continue or terminate a high-speed pursuit. Although most pursuits end in an arrest, and without injury, it is impossible to predict the behavior of others, especially when they are behind the steering wheel of a vehicle. A suspect willing to travel at high-speeds and exhibiting erratic and violent behavior is a serious threat to the public, with or without the presence of the officer. Vehicle pursuit conditions are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving situations. Under such conditions, officers should continually assess the risk to themselves and the public. Any officer engaged in or supporting the pursuit may terminate the pursuit at any time.
“Generally, once a violator starts a high-speed vehicle pursuit it will be successfully terminated because of one or more of four means: 1. Violator decides to stop the pursuit; 2. Officer termination due to unfavorable conditions as perceived by an officer; 3. Officer termination when the suspect is positively identified and may be arrested at a later date; and/or 4. Successful results from the deployment of termination tactics, techniques, or devices.”