Orlando Bloom: Celebrity Justice?
X17 has posted unedited video of Orlando Bloom’s accident on Thursday night. For all the people who said that there is no way Orlando would walk off and leave his friends injured, I invite you to look at the footage shot that night.
Apparently, the police have been in touch with the X17 photo agency, who told LAPD that they did not witness the accident (too far back in the parade).  There are reports of another vehicle which may have caused the accident. However, Orlando and his party were caught making a few illegal U-turns that night, and almost hit another car earlier while attempting a turn.
And now TMZ is reporting that Orlando may get off scot-free.
Before they left the club, you can see the blonde in the back seat (Cher Coulter) lying down, probably on the reclined rear seat. She did not have on a seat belt. California law requires a seat belt for all passengers. It is unclear if she raised the seat and put on her seat belt before the accident.
You can, again, clearly see Orlando leaving the scene of the accident. He pulls his hood over his head and says, “Guys.” He is clearly walking away and leaving until the photographers stopped him. He looks surprised that he could be charged with a hit and run, and I believe that is what made him return to his vehicle.
When he arrives back at his car, you can clearly see the girl in the back is holding her head and she has been bleeding. His passenger is also holding her neck (apparently the seat belt cut her neck). Wounds to the front of the face/forehead bleed practically immediately and profusely…I know because I had a similar injury in a car accident.
You also see him later taking something out of his other friend’s hand and pop it into his mouth…a mint, perhaps? Was he trying to cover up something? It was reported earlier in the night that he had the smell of alcohol on his breath.
X17 says this:
As X17 previously reported, an X17 eyewitness saw Orlando at the Green Door Lounge earlier that night at “a table that had Grey Goose.” Our source also noted that Orlando not only “was drinking a clear beverage” the entire night, but that he “definitely stumbled on his way out to the car” while leaving. This behavior was highly unusual for Orlando, whose demeanor is typically much different.
If drinking, or drinking this much, is indeed “highly unusual” for Orlando, perhaps he was not used to having that quantity of alcohol in his system. In video shot before the accident, all three seem somewhat tipsy, at least; in video shot after the accident, he does not appear outwardly drunk in what we can see and hear (admittedly you can’t hear much). However, there is no way that you can tell if a person has had too much to drink just by looking at them, as OK has reported happened that night with the LAPD.
But some signs perhaps are obvious. Â Perez Hilton posted this email that he received on his site:
Update: Uh oh. This is not looking good.
A friend of ours just emailed us the following….
“Just got in a HUGE ACCIDENT right outside my bldg! Woke me up!! So loud.
He’s super drunk. Paparazzi, police everywhere. Girl in his psngr side on ground. Hurt badly. He’s really drunk!â€
I don’t have any sort of personal problem with Orlando Bloom. Before this happened I didn’t pay much attention to him. Therefore, I don’t have any sort of personal stake in saying what many construe to be untrue and derogatory things about him. I am simply reporting what has been reported elsewhere, and offering my opinions on what I see on the video.
Drinking and driving is a serious thing. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious thing. To excuse Orlando Bloom’s actions that night is deplorable. Even if he had not been drinking (and by all accounts, he had been, but let’s just say he hadn’t for the sake of argument), he attempted to leave the scene of an accident with injury. He did come back, but had the photographer not stopped him, would he have returned?
The simple facts remain: Orlando Bloom was not issued a standard field breathalyzer test, nor was he issued one at the hospital; he attempted to leave the scene of an accident, and not only an accident but one with injuries. It is all on video….all you have to do is watch it.
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You clearly wish to ignore any info inconsistent with your view that Bloom was driving drunk and got off with celebrity justice.
I don’t understand how anyone thought he was leaving the scene. Where would he go? Walking off into the night is both unlikely and dangerous. Why would he go? It was a fender bender caused by another driver. The episode was photographed/videographed by at least ten people.
Please give me one good reason why he would attempt to actually avoid taking responsibility for this situation. He’s a coward? Hardly, he’s one of the bravest actors around both professionally and personally.
Yeah, he was surprised that anyone would suggest hit and run. That was the last thing on his mind.
I’m not excusing drunk driving. I’m a 63-yo RN who has worked in psych and drug/alcohol rehab. I’m just saying that a few are seeing this in a very ugly way based on second or third party reports from very unreliable sources (Perez Hilton and paps for crying out loud). The video could be interpreted in a number of ways.
The injuries were MINOR. A little blood and a fracture that perhaps turned up on x-ray but the person was released the next morning are NOT major injuries. Get a grip.
You can’t tell if a person has been drinking just by looking at them, but you can definitely tell if they are drunk. Cops are excellent observers.
You are simply repeating the x-17 sensationalism. No other real news sources have made much of the whole situation.
Comment by Ellen Armstrong — October 16, 2007 @ 8:09 am
First of all, no other “real” news sources were on the scene to provide video. The episode was videotaped by only two sources, X17 and Bauer-Griffin. I have not seen the Bauer-Griffin video.
Secondly, each of those articles took me quite a while to write, a few hours at least, because I spent my time looking up source after source to make sure I was getting all the facts available. I also watched both videos of the event several times to make sure I was truly seeing what I was seeing.
Thirdly, I repeatedly said in each article that he could not have been drinking, but he could have been as well. And you don’t have to be falling down drunk to be too disabled by drink to drive. In this article especially I said:
If someone is not used to drinking, even a small amount can make them unsuitable for driving. Again…you don’t have to be drunk to be unfit to drive.
And lastly….he left the scene. For reasons unknown, he walked away. That is on the video. I didn’t make that up.
Just because he broke his back a few years ago, and battled back from that (an admirable thing, to be sure, and I’m not making light of it), doesn’t make him a prince of a fella. And let’s face it…it’s one thing to be “brave” on a film set, and quite another to be “brave” facing the music in an accident such as this. I would hesitate to call his acting “brave”. Seriously. It’s ACTING. It’s ENTERTAINMENT. How “brave” do you have to be?
Tell a soldier in Iraq that Orlando is “brave” to act in movies.
If you want to disagree with me, that’s fine. But the facts are all there on the video.
And those of you trying to excuse his behavior should be thankful that the accident wasn’t a lot worse.
Comment by k — October 16, 2007 @ 9:11 am
If you’re insisting that the facts are in those videos is all you got as a base for judging a person’s action, i’m sorry to say you are mistaken. What do you think was going on his mind? The guy’s in total SHOCK! He was clearly out of his senses. The videos manipulated our brains because we watch too many movies. And these stories were being sensationalize from these hungry tabloid pimps and gossip queer, perez hilton. This person doesn’t even have the balls to diss paris hilton! And Bloom is no Pitt or Clooney yet to be served such celebrity favor. But hey, Mel Gibson got crucified! And the reason why this news is already dying? He ain’t got any drug or alcohol in his system. You’ve been entertained by Mr. Bloom and you should really be getting bored now. Let’s just move on to the real celebrity whores!
Comment by mars — October 16, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Or better yet, try ramming your car and see if any paps will be interested in your predicament!
Comment by mars — October 16, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
I don’t think there is any reason for such a big fuss over this. Orlando is a human being and makes mistakes. The fact is he did not leave the scene. An almost hit and run is not a crime. He was there when the police arrived, which is more than can be said for three or four cars full of paparazzi. They took off! What if one of them actually caused the accident? Where is the backlash for that? Where is the video footage of the accident? There is so much of the aftermath, but not of what happened? It just seems to me the paparazzi are quilty of a hit and run with injury and are refusing to surface. The police are looking for them. I hope they are found and forced to hand over their film. If you’ve noticed, no other photos of the night have been released by anyone else, or should I say new photos and video. Perhaps, because there is incriminating evidence of the actual crime there. Paparazzi may find themselves in big trouble on this one. Someone other than their target was injured. If police, do determine that Orlando is guilty, he will pay. How do you make paparazzi pay? What about hounding a person from two feet away for hours and chasing them down a street. Lindsay Lohan gets charged with a crime, but the paps don’t? Keith Urban was recently targeted and injured by paparazzi. Where is the outrage? I think this accident was deliberate. The paps get you going, then force off the road to get a story. It’s happened too many times to be ignored. I hope this time they get caught.
Comment by Kd — October 16, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Nowhere did I say that the paps did not cause this accident. For all I know, they did. I don’t know. I also pointed out in the first article that the paps were swarming the car filming and taking photos but did not help.
I guess it’s easy to point out things I said that painted Orlando in a negative light, but overlook anything I said that could have been in his favor. That way you can take your indignation out on me while overlooking the fact that I am attempting to portray this in a balanced manner.
And quite frankly, if indeed he was in no shape to drive due to alcohol (and it is conveniently being overlooked that I have said he could have not been drinking), and he caused this accident (and I have said that there could have been another vehicle involved), that is serious. Drinking and driving is not a joke. And I’ll say what I want about it.
I personally believe it is a combination of several things that all came together at once. And while I don’t think Orlando is 100% guilty, I don’t think he is 100% innocent either.
Comment by k — October 16, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
What I love about this site is their willingness to discuss their views with us, the audience. Most goss sites make ludicrous statements and never have the back bone to discuss.
k is an insightful writer and this topic is bigger than Orlando Bloom. Unfortunately drinking and driving is far too prevalent and it kills - and let’s face it celebs are some of the biggest offenders.
Chances are if you or I (as Joe Schmoe) had a similar accident after clubbing in LA we would be given a field sobriety test.
In experiments, people with a .02 BAC Level (not over the legal limit - something along the lines of 1 drink) have exhibited some loss of judgment, a decline in visual function affecting their ability to multi task. While these changes may be almost imperceptible to the person driving the car or the officer investigating the accident - it may be enough to cause someone to react differently than they would have had they not been drinking.
Whether or not Mr. Bloom had too much to drink is a question that will never be answered because they did not test him - but face the cold hard facts his behavior before the incident was bizarre - and he did attempt to leave the scene. The video speaks for itself.
Most people who go to clubs drink. It’s not impossible to imagine a scenario in which he had some booze - got into the drivers seat and hit a car. It is also not impossible to imagine that he wanted to distance himself from the whole event.
I personally think the LAPD dropped the ball - and he got celeb justice. He should have been tested. It would have put all the speculation to rest.
Comment by ebayer — October 16, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
[...] Original post by k [...]
Pingback by Orlando Bloom: Celebrity Justice? at Personal Injury Attorney Los Aangeles — October 16, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
I will not excuse OB. Who knows what he was thinking.
Maybe he’s irresponsible. Maybe he was in shock. Who knows? But if paparazzi cause so many accidents, why is nothing being done about it? If the paparazzi had not been there would there have been an accident? I think it was a bait and catch. All those witnesses jumped in to defend OB on film. IF he’s telling the truth and the witnesses are telling the truth, why speculate? I imagine most major news organizations have seen this footage, but chose to ignore it, because it is obvious. I just wonder what Bauer Griffin captured. I don’t know if I have seen footage they captured. Have you? Is it the exact same thing?
Comment by Kd — October 16, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
Agreed the paps are out of control and they should not be above the law - or possibly some laws should be changed - but many, many of these celebs court the paps. for the publicity and then minutes later shun the same spotlight they invited because it exposes something about them that they don’t want the public to see. moments before the wreck he and his friends looked out of it - the girl that started off driving tried to turn on an engine that was already running you can hear the photogs saying “this is not going to end well” as her engine grinds. While it is likely the the chase for the picture might well have added to the situation IMO it does not appear that they should have been driving - and that they were being pursed because there was a legitimate story unfolding. I think most organizations are ignoring it because there is no proof because there was no sobriety test. Why get slapped with a slander suit? Did anyone see the other vid?
Comment by ebayer — October 16, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
I have not seen any other video, I heard it mentioned at the end of the unedited footage X17 shot. I’ve searched but can’t find it. Bauer-Griffin is somewhat exclusive. Who am I?
Comment by k — October 16, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
you’re k! What more do ya need:)
Comment by ebayer — October 16, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
By golly, you’re right! I’ll get right on the horn and call my people.
Comment by k — October 16, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
anywho it’s not over till it’s over according to TMZ:
(I had better get back to work as pressing as this is:0)
TMZ has learned the LAPD is investigating the car crash involving Orlando Bloom, and cops are still looking at the possibility that he committed hit and run.
The accident occurred just after 2:00 AM Friday, after Bloom left a Hollywood club. The woman in the back seat, prominent fashion stylist Cher Coulter, suffered a fractured neck in the crash. Minutes after leaving the club, Orlando smashed into a parked Porsche, then began walking away from the scene. X17 has video of paparazzi repeatedly urging Bloom to return, which he finally did.
Ironically, as Coulter left the club, before getting in the car, she said to Orlando, “What, are you gonna leave me on the street.” Minutes later, that’s exactly what he did — when he walked away.
Detectives tell us Orlando has been interviewed by cops, and he said an SUV with paparazzi cut him off and caused the crash. The LAPD is investigating that as well.
As to why Bloom was not given a field sobriety test, one detective says that even if an officer saw “minor objective symptoms” of intoxication, it’s still a subjective judgment call.
The LAPD tells us the investigation is open and active.
We contacted Bloom’s rep — so far, no word back.
Comment by ebayer — October 16, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
GMTA…I am writing a new article for the Bloomies to hit me over the head with even as we, err, speak.
Comment by k — October 16, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
Ebayer and I have your back k, you just keep rockin’, we’ll take care of the enablers.
Comment by D — October 16, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
Thanks, D…I appreciate that.
Comment by k — October 16, 2007 @ 11:44 pm
i´m a big fun, i´m from madrid i have 28 years old . i love you in khwo the accident bu it was nothing . I love your movies pirates of the caribean 3,2,1 ,all the films . I want an ortograph of you , and i want more magazines and posteres. Pease cand you ansewr my please i see you sone.
I LOVE
YOU
Comment by teresa — October 23, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
Ok first of all just because he is a celeb doesn’t mean he is guilty. These so called reports could just be lies to get him into “mug shot” forums. I am sorry but its bull how some websites just point him out to be the worst guy in the history. Since TMZ talked all that they did the LAPD were basically forced to do investigation I hope he is found innocent. Because he has done so much more in helpin the earth then the paparazzos will ever do!
Comment by manda — October 23, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
You know what, #10? I don’t give a crap about how much he helps the earth. He walked off from a personal injury accident and left two people injured. Had he not been stopped he would STILL be walking. TMZ had nothing to do with his decisions that night…HE did. Besides, it was X17 who took the pics and vids, not TMZ.
The worst guy in history? I believe that is called “histrionics”. At the very least, an over-exaggeration. No, we are simply trying to make him accountable.
Hug a tree, leave a crash victim with a fractured neck. Hmm…wonder how that makes him such a great guy?
Comment by k — October 23, 2007 @ 7:34 pm