Reeves cleared in suit by paparazzo

November 04, 2008 02:06:55 PM

• A⁺ 
• A^-
• |
• 
• |
• 
• |
• 

Hollywood screen idol Keanu Reeves was acquitted Monday of charges of negligence for allegedly striking a photographer with his car and fleeing the scene.

After deliberating for a little over an hour, a jury panel of six men and six women cleared Reeves of any liability in the case brought by Brazilian paparazzo photographer Alison Silva.

Reeves, the hero of the "Matrix" trilogy had been on trial for allegedly plowing his Porsche 911 sports car into Silva, who was seeking 640,800 dollars for medical expense and damages.

Silva said he had hurt his hand after falling to the ground when Reeves mowed his car into him on March 19, 2007 in the posh Palos Verdes neighborhood of southwest Los Angeles.

The paparazzo claimed that Reeves, 44, sped away after the incident, although the actor denies striking Silva, and denied fleeing the scene.

Reeves testified that he stopped his car at the scene and asked bystanders to call emergency services.

In September, a Los Angeles judge dismissed assault claims filed by Silva, and said the photographer tripped over his own feet.