Oak Harbor Man Charged After High Speed Traffic Incident

Island County prosecutors charged 42 year old Oak Harbor resident Bryan McCord on December 8 with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, stemming from a traffic incident in June. Court documents say the sequence began when officers conducted a patrol check at a laundromat and then attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle accelerated, reached high speeds and was driven recklessly, prompting officers to discontinue the live pursuit for safety reasons.

Prosecutors say surveillance video later identified the driver as McCord. Because of his criminal history, prosecutors allege his sentencing exposure is elevated within the applicable state sentencing ranges. A superior court summons ordered McCord to appear, and court proceedings are ongoing.

The incident touches on two persistent public concerns in Island County. First, it highlights the danger posed by high speed evasive driving in populated areas, especially when officers must decide whether to continue a pursuit. Police policies that govern pursuits are designed to weigh immediate enforcement against broader community safety. In this case, officers elected to end the active chase, a decision that prioritized risk reduction on public roads but left questions about how the driver was later identified and held to account.

Second, the case underscores how prior convictions affect charging and potential penalties under Washington state law. Elevated sentencing exposure can change prosecutorial strategy and influence plea negotiations, courtroom procedures and eventual sentencing if a conviction is secured. For residents, the outcome will illustrate how Island County balances accountability, public safety and proportional punishment.

As the court process moves forward, local officials and residents will be able to track arraignment dates and filings through Island County Superior Court records. The case will be an early test of how surveillance evidence and prior records shape enforcement outcomes when pursuit safety concerns limit on scene intervention.