LOS ANGELES, CA — How could anyone forget that infamous paparazzi chase in Paris, which ended in the tragic and untimely death of Princess Diana fifteen years ago. But sadly, the practice of stalking celebs in their vehicles hasn’t abated.
The most recent target, Justin Bieber, who tried to outrun the press in his $100 grand electric Fisker Karma sports car by doing 100mph, on a Los Angeles freeway this past Friday. L.A. veteran police officer, Dennis Zine, called the incident a “tragedy waiting to happen.” Zine has promoted tough anti-stalker laws that would hold photographers accountable for their actions on the road. Coincidentally, it was he who witnessed the Bieber chase, expecting to see a crash.
Zine said Beiber’s car looked like a silver bullet as it zoomed past him. “He was coming up behind me, making abrupt lane changes, not giving signals, cutting off cars.” Four or five paparazzo-mobiles tailed the young singer, putting their pedals to the metal keep up.
The high-speed chase, which went for 15 miles, ended when a California Highway Patrol officer stopped Bieber and cited him for speeding. Not only were the photographers not ticketed, but the officer allowed them to snap photos of Bieber as he wrote out the ticket! Still, one has to wonder why Bieber himself didn’t just remain in the speed limit and call 911 earlier.
A harried Justin Bieber finally did dial for help after he resumed his drive toward downtown Los Angeles. The star told the dispatcher that the same cars were chasing him again. As said, again, the paparazzi swept-up in Bieber fever! “They’re being very dangerous, swerving around other cars trying to get to me. And when I get to a stop, they pull up next to me and harass me.” This time, Bieber kept his speed at 50 mph.
He initially gave the dispatcher a fake name, Justin Johnson, and then hesitated to explain that he was a celebrity being hounded by paparazzi. “When you give information to a dispatcher, you want to be accurate.” Zine said, after hearing the 911 call. But Bieber finally did agree to let the dispatcher provide him with a police escort for the rest of his drive. He also filed a complaint, which prompted police to see if any of the Paparazzi stalkers could be charged with breaking California’s paparazzi law.
If so, they could face a year in prison and a $5,000 fine for each count. Of Bieber’s choice regarding his exotic ride, Zine commented: “You’re waving the big flag that says, ‘Here I am.’ Put that car in the garage for a while and get something that’s not as recognizable.”
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