Freeland Man Dies In Police Chase After Beating Girlfriend

According to the Island County Sheriff’s Office, a Langley man died in a one-vehicle car accident while fleeing police following a domestic violence incident. The South Whidbey Record reports that 42-year-old Richard Guinn was spotted by police speeding through a stop sign in Freeland at around three in the morning on Saturday. When police tried to pull him over, he led authorities on a five-mile chase that ended in a fatal crash. Guinn lost control of his car when rounding a curve and struck a large tree, killing the driver instantly.

Further investigation into the car accident incident revealed that Guinn was the primary suspect in a domestic violence incident that took place earlier that evening. Following an assault, Guinn’s girlfriend was being treated for serious injuries at Whidbey General Hospital at the time of Guinn’s car chase and subsequent accident. Police believe that alcohol was involved in the car accident and that Guinn was driving while intoxicated.