Chris Guerra, the photographer run over and killed while taking pictures of Justin Bieber’s sports car, believed he had spotted the singer smoking marijuana while driving earlier in the day.
Chris Guerra, a 29-year-old freelance photographer, was tailing Justin Bieber’s white $200,000 458 Italia Ferrari when it was pulled over by California Highway Patrol officers in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
The photographer 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 after being told to return to his vehicle repeatedly by police.
According to TMZ, Chris Guerra claimed to friends earlier in the day that he had spotted Justin Bieber smoking what he believed to be marijuana from a pipe while driving the Ferrari.
A source said the photographer told him he was following the singer back to his base at the Four Seasons and was continuing to pursue what he believed was a big story.
The source says after 20 minutes, Chris Guerra hung up as he said the Ferrari was pulling out of the hotel parking lot and he needed to hang up and follow it. Apparently he had no idea Justin Bieber wasn’t actually in the car, which was being driven by the star’s friend, 19-year-old rapper Lil Twist.
A spokesperson for Justin Bieber said: “It’s really sad that people are trying to push a story with no facts so soon after this tragic accident. Justin was not present or involved in this incident and the focus should remain on honoring the memory of the victim.”
Justin Bieber had already been pulled over by police in his Ferrari while driving through West Hollywood in November. He was initially pulled over for making an unsafe left turn. During the stop, the officer discovered Justin Bieber’s registration was expired and he was given a ticket.
Justin Bieber had helped ring in the New Year, performing on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve on Monday night.
shut up people
A horrible loss. WAAAAAAAAHHHHH!