Entertainment> Celebrities

Hilton backs SUV into car after shopping

2006-06-12 08:43

LOS ANGELES - Paris Hilton had a fender-bender accident when her Range Rover backed into a car in a parking garage after a shopping trip, her publicist said Friday.

Hilton backed into a parked Honda Civic on Thursday. A videotape on the TMZ.com Web site showed Hilton getting into the car, saying goodbye to someone and backing up. The sound of a crash followed.

The video showed scrapes on the bumpers of both vehicles.

The Range Rover stopped briefly then continued on toward the exit of the parking structure.

TMZ.com indicated Hilton failed to leave contact information for the Honda's owner and thus may have violated laws against hit-and-run. Her publicist denied that.

"Did she commit a crime? No," Elliot Mintz said.

"She was swarmed by paparazzi," he said. "The intensity of the lights, flashbulbs, momentarily disoriented her. She backed up, there was a minor fender-bender. No injuries. She then told me she notified one of the parking people at the facility how to contact her and asked the person to please pass that along" to the owner of the struck car.

"She did the correct thing and she would not leave the scene of a crime," he said.

Mintz said Hilton is insured.

"Paris is a very responsible and a very good driver. ... She takes her driving seriously," Mintz said. "This was unfortunate ... it will be handled appropriately."