Justin Bieber speaks of his 'shock and sadness' after photographer is killed by car

The 29-year-old photographer was struck by a vehicle last night after taking pictures of the singer's white Ferrari in Los Angeles.
 
The singer was not in the vehicle, which had been pulled over by police officers at about 6pm. The 18-year-old today released a statement in which he called for new laws for paparazzi photography.


It is believed the female driver of the vehicle which struck the man stopped other cars from hitting his body.



In his statement, as reported by CNN, Bieber said: '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.'
 
The photographer was tailing Bieber’s white Ferrari when it was pulled over by California Highway Patrol officers.


He got out of his car to take pictures but was struck by a Toyota Highlander SUV as he was running back to his own vehicle.
 
Photographs taken from the scene show the man's hat and shoe lying in the road where he was hit.
 
It is believed the female driver of the car which struck the photographer stopped other cars from hitting the man's body after she had called 911.

 
Los Angeles police officer Sergeant Rudy Lopez said the highway patrol men had noticed the photographer taking pictures close to the scene. He said one of the officers asked him to return to his vehicle.



Sgt Lopez said: 'He verbally ordered him to return to the vehicle, he had to order him twice and he seemed reluctant to go back, but eventually he did.

 
'When the photographer returned to the vehicle it did not appear that he was looking and he was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound.'
 
The photographer, who has not yet been identified, died at a hospital shortly after the crash.

 
The sports car - which contained two of Bieber's friends - was parked on the side of Sepulveda Boulevard near Getty Center Drive after the traffic stop.

 
No charges are likely to be filed against the motorist - believed to be female - who hit the man.
 
The LAPD is continuing to investigate the man’s death. A representative for the department did not immediately return MailOnline's request for comment.
 
Bieber, 18, had only last night helped ring in the new year, performing on 'Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve.'
 
While the singer was confirmed by sources not to be in the Ferrari at the time of the accident, the singer has had a gruelling couple of months.
 
Only last month, a gruesome plot to murder the Canadian crooner was revealed.


Mark Staake and his nephew, Tanner Ruane, were allegedly plotting to kidnap, torture, and kill the singer while he was in New York to perform at Madison Square Garden.
 
Martin had ordered for ‘the murder and castration’ of the 18-year-old singer.


And in November, the ‘Baby’ singer had a run-in with a paparazzo who claimed Bieber was driving too fast. ‘What do your parents think about what you do? Do you tell them, “I stalk people for a living”?’ the singer asked.
 
The incident held up traffic in Hollywood. Before speeding off, Bieber said, ‘You guys love this, don’t you?’