A paparazzo attempting to get photos of Justin Bieber's white Ferrari -- on foot, mind you -- was struck by a passing car and killed tonight, Jan. 1, 2013, as a tragic event ushered in a New Year in celebrity news.
Law enforcement sources said that Bieber's white Ferrari -- which was not being driven by Justin Bieber, by the way -- was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for a routine traffic stop on Sepulveda Boulevard, near the Getty Center in Los Angeles. It's unclear at this point who was driving, or if Bieber was even in the car.
A paparazzo who had been following the Ferrari at the time of the traffic stop pulled over and attempted to take pictures as officers conducted their business. However, the CHP eventually warned the photographer to move back because the situation not safe.
It was more unsafe than they believed -- at some point, the photographer was struck by an oncoming vehicle and killed.
While things are still unclear, the LAPD is on-scene and investigating. Sources say that neither drugs nor alcohol were a factor for the driver of the vehicle that hit the photographer.
In mid-November, a judge ruled that the so-called "Justin Bieber" paparazzi law was unconstitutional. That may -- or may not -- end up being the case in the long run, but despite the fact that tonight's incident did not occur as a paparazzo attempted to chase down a celebrity, the death is still an example of the risks photographers take in their quest for celebrity snapshots.
Update: Bieber was not in the car, it has been confirmed. One of his friends was driving and another friend was in the passenger seat, though.
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