We've got some crazy news coming out of Los Angeles this evening: TMZ is reporting that a paparazzi photographer was killed in a crash while attempting to snap photos of Justin Bieber's Ferrari.
The gossip website, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, says that Bieber's white Ferrari was pulled over for a "routine traffic stop" near the Getty Center. A photographer who was following it attempted to snap some pics of the scene when officers told him to step back because the situation was unsafe. That's when the photog was hit by an oncoming vehicle, they say.
TMZ notes that the Canadian teen sensation was not driving the Ferrari when this took place, or in it at all. They say a friend of his was driving the car, and another friend was riding shotgun. The name and age of the deceased photographer was not released.
Bieber has been seen around town in a white 458 Italia (but not the one pictured above) as well as a chrome Fisker Karma.
Update: CBS Los Angeles has a few more details about the fatal crash this morning. They say the photographer was a 29-year-old from New Mexico whom a friend called "Chris." His full name has not been released by authorities.
The TV station reported that the photographer parked his SUV on Sepulveda Boulevard and ran across the street to get a better view of the traffic stop as it was parked on the freeway. Officers repeatedly asked him to move away, and when he eventually turned away to return to his vehicle, he was struck by an oncoming SUV. Paramedics attempted to revive him at the scene but he later died at an area hospital.
Bieber's camp issued this statement: "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."
Hat tip to Creative Accidents and Ilya
Photo credit Getty Images/Greg Freeman