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Brother Of Corvette Driver Killed By Police After Pursuit Speaks Out

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The brother of the Corvette driver who was shot and killed by police following a high-speed chase Friday is speaking out.

In an interview only on KCAL9 and CBS2, the man's brother spoke to reporter Brittney Hopper --  by phone -- about 52-year-old Brian Newt Beaird of Oceanside.

Beaird's brother John said, "We're pretty angry. I mean, there didn't seem that there was justification for what happened."

Beaird said his brother, a disabled veteran who served with the National Guard for eight years, only recently bought the silver-colored Corvette.

John -- who lives in Central California -- said his brother contacted family during the chase.

Authorities said they tried to pull Beaird over for driving recklessly.

"He just kept saying,'Why are they after me? I didn't do anything.' My dad had tried to tell him to pull over."

Beaird led police on a wild chase for an hour.

He eventually crashed into a fire hydrant and another car and the chase came to an end.

As he got out of the vehicle, he was shot. CPR was performed but he died about an hour later at the hospital.

John Beaird does not believe deadly force was warranted or justified.

"This could have been handled differently. He was just scared. And I don't know what was going through his mind at the time but I hope that if these people did act inappropriately, that there will be justice down the line."

The LAPD says they are investigating the shooting but declined Hopper's request for further comment.

Beaird's brother also told Hopper the family is currently looking for legal representation.

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