Orlando Bloom cleared of charges in car crash

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los Angeles officials on Friday cleared Orlando Bloom of hit-and-run and drunken driving charges stemming from a car crash during which the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star was chased by paparazzi.

"There was insufficient evidence he was trying to get away," said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Country District Attorney.

An official evaluation of the incident also states the actor was not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Bloom, 29, was driving in west Los Angeles in the early morning hours on October 12 when he swerved and hit a car.

The evaluation sheet shows Bloom was being chased by paparazzi in four cars, two of which tried to cut him off. It said that after the wreck, Bloom walked about 60 feet (20 meters) to avoid photographers then returned.

Bloom was dazed according to his police statement, but he later tested clear of alcohol and drugs.

The actor has been among Hollywood's top young stars in recent years winning awards and working in the smash hit movies like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Lord of the Rings" franchises.