Following the ‘tragic’ passing of a photographer who was killed while capturing images of Justin Bieber’s sports car, the singer has advocated for updated paparazzi regulations.
The photographer, a 29-year-old freelance named Chris Guerra, was hit by a vehicle on Tuesday night as he took pictures of Bieber’s $200,000 white Ferrari in Los Angeles.
The 18-year-old issued a statement expressing that his ‘thoughts and prayers’ are with Guerra’s friends and family.
In his statement, Bieber mentioned: ‘Although I was neither present nor directly involved in this unfortunate incident, my thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family.
‘I hope this tragedy will finally lead to significant legislation and any other essential measures to ensure the safety and lives of celebrities, police officers, innocent bystanders, and the photographers themselves.’
While tailing Bieber’s white Ferrari, Chris Guerra was struck when it was stopped by California Highway Patrol officers on an off-ramp of I-405 in L.A.
He exited his car to photograph but was hit by a Toyota Highlander SUV while he ran back to his vehicle after being repeatedly instructed by police to return.
Images from the scene reveal Guerra’s hat and shoe lying on the ground where he was struck; he was wearing that same baseball cap during one of his last photographs taken last month in Aspen, Colorado.
The female driver of the vehicle that hit the photographer reportedly prevented other cars from running over his body after alerting 911.
According to Los Angeles police officer Sergeant Rudy Lopez, the highway patrol officers noticed Guerra taking pictures nearby. He stated that one officer instructed him to return to his vehicle.
Sgt Lopez remarked: ‘The officer ordered him to go back to his vehicle twice verbally, and he seemed hesitant, but eventually complied.’
‘When he returned to his car, it appeared he wasn’t paying attention, and he was struck by a southbound vehicle.’
Guerra succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at a hospital.
The investigation into the man’s death is ongoing by the LAPD.
Earlier that day, Guerra had told friends he believed he witnessed Bieber smoking what he thought was marijuana from a pipe while driving the Ferrari.
A source indicated that Guerra was following the singer back to the Four Seasons, convinced he was pursuing a significant story.
After 20 minutes, Guerra ended the call, stating that the Ferrari was exiting the hotel parking lot and he needed to follow it. Allegedly, he was unaware it was Bieber in the car.
Previously, in November, Bieber was stopped by police in his Ferrari while driving through West Hollywood for making an unsafe left turn. During that stop, officers discovered his registration was expired, resulting in a ticket.
by Lorelle Heath
