SOLVED. Young Adult Fiction. A boy with asthma is accused of murder in a school locker room, and goes on the run with his father and little brother. Read 2005-2009. Spoilers ahead. [s]

[Anthony]

I cannot remember the name or arthur of this book. Spoiler alert, as the primary detail I can remember is the ending. I read this book in high school, time range would be 2005 to 2009. Most likely in 2007.

Summary:
A boy, with asthma, in school is blamed for a murder in a locker room. He recalls a girl leaving the locker room.
He dad, little brother and himself go on the run. Trying to avoid being recognized.
Towards the end they get in an accident. A significant part is that the boy heard a loud pop (believed to be his lunges exploding) , he sees his dad in this other space. The dad takes his place and the boy returns to his body.
His dad died from minor injures, and the boy recovers and no longer has asthma. The way the accident is described is that the father should have easily survived and the boy should have died.

If and when I can remember more I will update.

[Zenta]

I think it's Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

[Anthony]

That is it! Thank you so much. I've been racking my brain for months on this one.