A paparazzo has been killed while following Justin Bieber.

An unidentified man was fatally struck by a car after taking photos of the 18-year-old pop star's Ferrari on a Los Angeles street. He passed away in hospital shortly after the accident on Tuesday evening (01.01.12).

Police Officer James Stoughton confirmed the photographer was hit while crossing Sepulveda Boulevard after taking snaps of Justin's white sports car, which was parked near Getty Center Drive.

The 'Boyfriend' singer wasn't in the vehicle at the time, having loaned his car to two friends, according to gossip website TMZ.

Police say charges are unlikely to be pressed against the motorist who hit the photographer.

Justin has been at the centre of paparazzi related incidents in the past, most recently in August when two photographers trailing the Canadian singer lost control of their cars and crashed into each other.

The teen idol was also involved in a physical altercation with a photographer at The Commons mall in Calabasas, California, this summer when a photographer attempted to take photos of his on/off girlfriend Selena Gomez.

Meanwhile, Justin whisked Selena, 20, away for a romantic New Year's Eve (31.12.12) celebration in Mexico. The couple reportedly partied the night away on the beach in Puerto Vallarta in a bid to get their relationship back on track.