According to law enforcement, Justin's white Ferrari was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol squad during a scheduled traffic stop on a Los Angeles highway on Tuesday evening, when the photographer ran over to snap pictures of his car. The incident took place at around 18:00.
Sources claim that officers asked the photographer to clear the area, as it was not deemed safe. It was after this that an oncoming vehicle hit the photographer, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Police Department officer James Stoughton said the photographer, who's identity has not yet been released, was taken to a hospital in the area and died soon after.
TMZ has since reported that Justin was not behind the wheel of his Ferrari when the incident took place. Sources claim that one of Justin's friends was driving, with another friend in the passenger seat.
Miley Cyrus tweets paparazzi rage
The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.
In a series of tweets, Miley Cyrus came out in Justin's defence, slamming the paparazzi for their reckless behaviour.
Hope this paparazzi/JB accident brings on some changes in '13 Paparazzi are dangerous! Wasn't Princess Di enough of a wake up call?!
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) January 2, 2013
It is unfair for anyone to put this on to Justin's conscious as well! This was bound to happen! Your mom teaches u when your a child not
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) January 2, 2013
to play in the street! The chaos that comes with the paparazzi acting like fools makes it impossible for anyone to make safe choices.
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) January 2, 2013
Justin has had various run-ins with the paparazzi during 2012, with his recent one being in November, when he stopped his Ferrari in the middle of a highway in Los Angeles to confront a member of the paparazzi who had been tailing him.