Pop star Justin Bieber is in the news yet again, this time for hitting a paparazzo with his truck in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
According to reports from CNN and People magazine, Beverly Hills Police confirmed that the 23-year-old performer was attempting to drive away from a City Church event at the Saban Theatre at 9:24 p.m. on Wednesday when his truck collided with a 57-year-old photographer.
Lieutenant Scott Dowling told People that Bieber remained at the scene during the investigation, and that the victim, whose name has yet to be released, was taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
TMZ published new video footage on Thursday which shows Bieber attempting to help the paparazzo who was struck, repeatedly asking him “Is there anything we can do to help you?.”
According to CNN, no citations were issued and no other vehicles were involved in the accident.
TMZ also published a video on Wednesday in which the crash victim, apparently on a hospital stretcher on the way to an X-ray, called Bieber “a good kid,” who “was compassionate” after the accident.
The victim said that the incident occurred “one hour before my birthday,” but appeared to harbor no ill will as he concluded that “accidents happen.” He did, however, question Bieber’s choice of vehicle:
“I think the truck was a little bit too big for him, though, cause there’s no way he could see over the front.”
The accident occurred just days after Bieber cancelled the remainder of his worldwide tour promoting his fourth album, Purpose. In a statement posted Monday on the singer’s Facebook page, the cancellation of the balance of the tour was attributed to “unforeseen circumstances.”
CNN reported that the tour, which began in March 2016 and featured hit singles such as “What Do You Mean?” and “Sorry,” had already grossed over $163.3 million last year.
Bieber, a Canadian-born pop star who began his journey to stardom through YouTube videos as a young teenager, released his first album at the age of fifteen. He has had multiple run-ins with the law, including an arrest in January 2014 on charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest and driving without a license.
Bieber has long been associated with City Church and its charismatic pastor, Judah Smith, according to the website UpOut. The church’s nontraditional services reportedly include light shows, visual effects and big screens, combining pop culture references with sermons.
Bieber’s association with another religious organization, Hillsong Church, is rumored to have been a contributing factor in his recent tour cancellation, an allegation which both Bieber and Hillsong Church denied, according to the New York Daily News.
Feature photo: Associated Press
