Commenting on the traffic death of young Seattle cop Joselito Barber - hit two days ago in a 80-mph "T-bone" crash by a drug-addicted repeat offender out of jail early under a state-approved "alternative sentencing" scheme - the Seattle P-I editorial board today comes down firmly against "poor driving decisions" and bravely exhorts "policymakers" to boost "safety measures and training." The Seattle Times reports today that Snohomish County prosecutors sought a one-year sentence for the suspect, Mary Jane Rivas, after Everett police confiscated crack cocaine from her in a traffic stop last September. She skipped out on a court hearing scheduled for two weeks later and wasn't collared until February, when she spent three months in jail awaiting sentencing. Then she served only two-and-a-half months on the crime before her early release, recommended by the State Department of Corrections and her public defender.

At the time of the crash Sunday, Rivas was wanted for prostitution, DUI, theft and malicious mischief; and had missed an Aug. 4 meeting with a parole officer. A P-I news article today notes Snohomish County Superior Court Judge James Allendoerferv ensured her early release, just 11 days before the fatal crash.

Police told the P-I she had cocaine in her system when admitted to the hospital after the crash.

Rivas may face vehicular homicide charges. I hope another early release under "alternative sentencing" won't be in the offing.

TECHNORATI TAGS: SEATTLE, POLICE, TRAFFIC DEATH, JOSELITO BARBER, MARY JANE RIVAS, COCAINE, DUI, REPEAT OFFENDER, ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING, EARLY RELEASE, WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS