Saying his was just trying to avoid the paparazzi, Justin Bieber received a speeding ticket today in Los Angeles.
A witness called the whole situation “horrific.”
Dennis Zine, a LA council member and former police officer, told NBC he was driving 60 mph on the 101 Freeway when the 18-year-old Canadian-born pop star whizzed past him.
“It was absolutely outrageous,” Zine told NBC. “Horrific. They were driving with complete disregard for people and property, weaving in and out of traffic. I was heading in an easterly direction and this car came by me at least 100 miles per hour. He drove by like he was in a rocket ship.”
TMZ.com reported Bieber was driving his chrome Fisker Karma, an electric sportscar he received from his manager, Scooter Braun, for his 18th birthday.
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Braun told TMZ that Zine “is just a councilman looking for a headline,” and police gave Bieber a ticket for driving 80 mph.
The California Highway Patrol saw two vehicles speeding near Coldwater Canyon northwest of Los Angeles, Agence France-Presse said.
“Officers made an enforcement stop on one of the vehicles, took him off the freeway,” CHP’s Vince Ramirez told AFP. “He was issued a citation for speeding.”
TMZ also reported that Bieber called 911 in response to the paparazzi’s pursuit, and police gave them a warning.
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