A paparazzi photographer was struck and killed in traffic on New Year's day while trying to snap pictures of Justin Bieber's white Ferrari 458 Italia.
According to TMZ, the photographer, whose name has not been released, started running across an LA's 405 last night when he noticed Justin Bieber's Ferrari pulled over for a speeding violation near the Getty Center. In fact, officers advised the photographer to step back because it's never a good idea to play chicken amongst Los Angeles traffic. Shockingly, that was when the rash reporter was struck by oncoming traffic, said LA police. TMZ claims drugs and alcohol were not in the driver of the vehicle that struck the photographer. However, we cannot confirm whether substances were present in the photographer himself.
Reports from TMZ also emphasized that Justin Bieber was not driving the Ferrari and wasn't involved in the incident whatsoever: "According to our sources, Bieber was DEFINITELY not driving at the time."
Following the traffic accident, Justin Bieber offered a statement of condolences to the family of the paparazzi photographer.
"While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim."
"Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves."
One of the biggest stars in the biz, the 18-year-old encounters bold journalists on the daily. In July, a team of photographers engaged in a high-speed pursuit across the LA freeway to snap pictures of Justin. Disgusted by the incident, Los Angeles city councilman Dennis Zine called the chase a "tragedy waiting to happen." Zine sponsors legislations that impose stricter punishment for paparazzi photographers that break the law while pursuing the city's celebrities.
