It isn’t all that uncommon to associate high speed driving and fast cars with some additional criminal activities. After all, movies like The Fast and The Furious provide a perfect platform for the thought to really get people’s imaginations running wild.

To add to the perception, you rarely see a chase scene in a movie or television show involving the ol’ family sedan; but rather a group of vehicles where the Corvette looks right at home. Aside from the fact that you’d be hard pressed to outrun a Yenko Camaro with a Honda Civic, those of us within the culture are well aware that these people are the extreme outliers; as they are for most groups.

Unfortunately they do exist, and one such individual decided to use a Chevrolet Corvette in a high speed pursuit throughout southeast Los Angeles, California on the night of December 13, 2013. After weaving through traffic and undoubtedly some pedestrians, he ultimately crashed his C6 into another car and severed a fire hydrant in the process.

At that time, Officers Armando Corral and Leonardo Ortiz of the LAPD took action against the driver, 51-year-old Brian Beaird, by firing over a dozen shots his way as he reportedly staggered out of his vehicle. Beaird was fatally wounded.

Late last year, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck determined the officers violated the department rules by engaging the suspect, rejecting their claims that they, “had opened fire because they felt their lives were in danger.”

A recently released letter from District Attorney Jackie Lacey, states there was, “insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Officers Armando Corral, Leonardo Ortiz and Michael Ayala did not act in self-defense and in the defense of others.”

Chief Beck will now decide what punishment the officers are to receive for their actions. For now, the two officers have been relieved of duty, without pay, pending disciplinary action by the chief. In August of last year, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $5 million settlement for Beaird’s family. This was the largest payout the city of Los Angeles has made for a police shooting case in over ten years.

At this time, we are unsure as to whether or not the C6 in question was owned by the suspect, or he happened to “pick it up” shortly before the evening’s events transpired. We can’t think of many worse activities to use your own Vettes for. Of course a C6 can outrun whatever patrol car these officers happened to be driving that day, and maybe that’s what went through Beaird’s mind as his right foot hit the floor.

Needless to say, not a good idea. The majority of us want to test the capabilities and/or limits of our Vettes from time to time, after all they are sports cars. So please just remember to do so in a safe and legal fashion. We are sorry for the Beaird family’s loss, and wish all parties involved the best of luck moving forward.