A photographer was killed Tuesday night when he was struck by a vehicle while taking pictures of Justin Bieber’s white Ferrari. Bieber was not in the car at the time.
The California Highway Patrol stopped the driver of the pop star’s car on the northbound 405 Freeway for speeding, according to LAPD Officer James Stoughton. The driver exited to Sepulveda Boulevard and Getty Center Drive.
The photographer parked his car on Sepulveda Boulevard and crossed the street to take pictures. A Highway Patrol officer ordered him out of the street. As he attempted to cross, the photographer was struck by an oncoming car.
Paramedics transported the photographer to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A friend of the photographer, Tibault Mauvilian, said they were planning to cover the upcoming Sundance Film Festival 10 days from Tuesday.
"That wouldn't be the first time he followed him," Mauvilian said. "He always played by the rules. I'm not aware of him doing anything illegal.
"Some people will say he's just another crazy paparazzo trying to make the money. Actually, he was not a paparazzo. He was just another kid from New Mexico."
Charges will not be filed against the woman driving the car who hit the photographer. Sepulveda Boulevard at Getty Center Drive was expected to reopen Wednesday morning.
Access Hollywood obtained the following statement from Bieber: "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."Earlier this year, a case involving a photographer and Bieber became the first case prosecuted under a California law designed to crack down on reckless driving by paparazzi. The case against self-employed freelance celebrity photographer Paul Raef stemmed from a high-speed pursuit of Bieber -- driving a chrome Fisker-Karma luxury sports car -- that took place in July on the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.
Counts filed under the 2010 state law were dismissed.
The offense is punishable by six months in jail and a $2,500 fine but had gone unused until Raef was involved in the freeway chase of Bieber that topped 80 mph and prompted several 911 calls, including a member of the Los Angeles City Council, a strong proponent of the law.