Another Unscripted Car Crash on 'Transformers 3' Set
There was more trouble on the Washington D.C. set of "Transformers 3" today -- when a cop car drove through the movie's perimeter and collided with one of the movie's main stars ... bright yellow Autobot Bumblebee!
A nearby shop owner tells TMZ there was a lot of police activity in the area right at the time of the accident due to a bomb scare. It is unclear if the cop car involved in the accident was part of that investigation.
UPDATE: D.C. police tell TMZ the cop car involved was part of the Explosives Ordinances Division. We're told the cop driving was taken to a nearby hospital.
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Juliette Lewis -- 'Banged Up' in Hit-and-Run Crash
Juliette Lewis was hospitalized last night after she was "broadsided" by a hit-and-run driver in Burbank, CA ... this according to the actress' rep.
The actress was being driven home from an event for her movie "Conviction" -- when another car T-boned the vehicle transporting Lewis at an intersection at 10:19 PM.
We're told Lewis' ride -- a Lincoln Town Car -- was "completely totaled."
Lewis' rep adds, "[Juliette] went to the hospital to be checked out and is a bit banged up and sore but otherwise thankfully okay. She is now resting at home."
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the driver of the other car -- a Honda -- fled the scene. Cops discovered the Honda a few blocks from the spot of the crash ... but the suspect is still at large.
We're told an investigation into the incident is underway.
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Hulk Hogan -- More Back Surgery, More Pain
Hulk Hogan just underwent yet another back surgery yesterday -- but even though Hulk is currently in "a lot of pain" ... he says he's confident this procedure finally did the trick.
TMZ has learned Hulk -- who recently re-injured his back collecting seashells -- had a spinal chord stimulator inserted into his back during a "very, very painful" procedure at a Florida hospital.
A spinal chord stimulator is a device that is inserted below the skin, and uses electric currents to alleviate the effects of chronic pain.
Sources close to Hulk tell TMZ he's "upbeat" about the SCS -- and hopes he'll be allowed to go home soon.
UPDATE: Hulk was discharged from the hospital late last night ... but re-admitted himself this morning because he was still in "excruciating" pain.
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CNN Star Injured by Horse ... Of Course, Of Course
Soledad O'Brien is getting ready to undergo a pretty gnarly surgery on her knee -- after she was thrown from a horse in New York on Sunday.
O'Brien tells BV Buzz she was horseback riding with her 2 daughters when her horse "got spooked by another horse and ditched me."
Soledad explained, "I tore absolutely everything in my knee. I am on crutches now and doing physical therapy. I'll have surgery in two weeks when the swelling goes down."
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Judah Friedlander -- The FDNY Bloody Body Scare
TMZ has obtained a photo of "30 Rock" star Judah Friedlander hovering over a bloody body in NY last night after FDNY rushed to the scene -- but don't freak out ... it was all a false alarm.
Obviously, the dead guy isn't really dead -- he was just a human prop in a publicity stunt for Judah's book -- but a passerby saw the bloody mess inside SPiN in Manhattan ... and called 911.
The paramedics -- who are real BTW -- rushed to the scene, but as soon as they figured out it was all a joke, they laughed ... and then split.
When reached for comment, Judah told us, "I'm surprised someone dialed 911. When I saw Sylvester Stallone kill someone in 'The Expendables,' I didn't dial 911."
And here's a fun fact -- "The World Champion" Judah Friedlander also tells us, "Turns out one of the FDNY guys - was one of the FDNY guys that hugged me in the Dave Matthews Band video 'Everyday' 9 years ago."
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'Transformers 3' Stunt Victim Sues Studios
The "Transformers 3" extra who suffered brain damage in a grisly on-set accident just slapped Paramount and DreamWorks studios with a lawsuit for negligence.
The lawsuit -- filed in Cook County Court of Illinois -- alleges the studios and location managers for the film were negligent in coordinating and executing a stunt last month in Indiana.
Gabriela Cedillo was an extra on the set when, as we previously reported, a tow cable being used for a stunt snapped, causing a piece of metal to slice through her skull.
The lawsuit claims a long list of failures on the part of the production team ... among them -- failure to use proper materials and proper welding, failure to provide adequate safety precautions, and failure to keep personnel on set at a safe distance.
The suit also claims the production, "Allowed untrained extras to drive their own vehicles within close proximity to a violent stunt involving large vehicles." Cedillo was driving her own car when the tow cable snapped.
Cedillo's attorney tells us she is completely paralyzed on the left side of her body, and she is currently at a rehabilitation center.
Cedillo is suing for unspecified damages in excess of $50,000. Paramount and DreamWorks did not immediately return our calls for comment.
UPDATE: A rep for Paramount says, "We are all terribly sorry that this accident occurred. The production will continue to provide all the help we can to Gabriela and her family during this difficult time."
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Audrina Patridge -- The 'DWTS' Curse Strikes Again!
It was only a matter of time until someone got injured on "Dancing with the Stars" -- but luckily for Audrina Patridge, she got off easy.
Sources close to the show tell TMZ Audrina tweaked her ankle during rehearsals yesterday and she was tended to by on-set physicians. Not to worry though ... we're told it's just a minor sprain and Audrina is "pushing through."
Count yourself lucky, Audrina ... it could have been worse.
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Dog Chapman Hospitalized in Los Angeles
Duane "Dog" Chapman was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles last night after he was injured while on a bounty hunt, this according to his wife Beth.
Dog was taken to UCLA Medical Center where he was treated for internal bleeding. His wife posted a statement on Dog's official website, saying, "He was admitted for tests for a possible blood clot following an injury he suffered on a bounty hunt. Duane is in very capable hands and and we thank everyone for their prayers."
He was released and is expected to make a scheduled appearance at at the Cathedral of Faith Church in San Jose, CA.
UPDATE: This morning, Beth tweeted: "Yes dog is injured it is an occupational hazard that we deal with he is very strong and in excellent condition he will 4 sure survive."
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'NCIS' Star Michael Weatherly In Car Crash
Michael Weatherly -- one of the stars of "NCIS" -- just got in a gnarly car accident near Universal Studios in L.A.
Witnesses tell TMZ ... Weatherly was driving a black Mercedes over the Barham Pass, which connects Hollywood with the San Fernando Valley, when the lanes merged and somehow at least two vehicles were involved in a collision.
Weatherly's car sustained some serious damage to the front passenger side. The front bumper was nearly ripped off the ride. A silver BMW was also damaged in the crash.
We just spoke with the driver of the silver BMW -- who told us Weatherly crashed into him and ran the BMW into a nearby pole. The driver tells us Weatherly quickly parked his car, approached the BMW and "accepted responsibility" for the accident.
The driver tells us both parties exchanged information. The BMW has already been loaded on to a tow truck. Weatherly seems okay -- he's on his cell phone right now.
An ambulance arrived but apparently it will be leaving without passengers.
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Greg Giraldo Death -- Family Pulled Life Support
Greg Giraldo had been in a coma for five days when his family ultimately made the decision to end the comedian's life ... TMZ has learned.
Sources close to the situation tell us Greg had remained in a coma since he overdosed last weekend in New Jersey.
We're told doctors weren't able to resuscitate him, and Greg's family decided to take him off life support yesterday.
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Chyna 911 Call -- 'She's Throwing Up'
TMZ has obtained the 911 call made before Chyna was rushed to UCLA Medical Center -- and according to the guy on the phone, the former WWE star was "throwing up from alcohol withdrawal."
As we first reported, Chyna was taken to the hospital over a week ago after downing 4-5 times the recommended amount of Benadryl. The male caller described her as alert, but shaking and in pain.
She was released two days later -- and according to her rep, she's doing fine.
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Emma Watson Shortcut in Dorm Room Evacuation
Emma Watson modeled her little boy haircut during an emergency evacuation at Brown University yesterday morning -- but TMZ has learned ... unlike Hermione's 'do, the scary situation was a false alarm.
According to sources at Brown, the fire alarm at the dorm where she was staying went off around 10am -- and we're told, it all started with a leaky steam pipe ... which triggered the emergency alert system.
No one was injured -- and after about 10 embarrassing minutes outside in their pajamas, the students were allowed to return to their chambers of secrets.
Accio eye shadow!
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Paul Wall Beats Fan with a Microphone
Never give Paul Wall the finger -- because based on this video, it doesn't matter if dude's in the middle of a concert ... he will beat your ass with a microphone.
It all went down Sunday night at the Low Low Car Show in San Antonio, Texas -- Paul Wall was performing on stage with rapper Slim Thug ... when some dumbass in the front row threw a middle finger in Paul's face.
Paul can be seen exchanging a few words with the guy -- right before the rapper winds up and beats him several times with his mic.
We're told the finger-waving fan got tossed out -- and so far, no police report has been filed. Paul's rep declined to comment.
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Limp Bizkit's Drummer Snared by Pneumonia
Fred Durst can't buy a break -- Limp Bizkit's reunion tour just got put on ice in Norway after pneumonia took down the band's drummer ... TMZ has learned.
The band's manager tells TMZ they were forced to pull the plug on tonight's show after drummer John Otto was hospitalized in Oslo. According to the manger he was diagnosed with pneumonia and is undergoing tests to determine how serious it is.
Reps for Sentrum Scene, where Bizkit was supposed to play tonight, say tickets for the show will be refunded.
The LB tour was canceled earlier this year over booking issues, according to Durst.
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Wyclef Jean Hospitalized -- Stressed Out
Wyclef Jean's brief stint in politics was too much for him to handle -- he was hospitalized for fatigue this weekend.
According to his rep, Jean -- who abandoned his bid for the Haitian presidency last week -- was "suffering from stress and fatigue based on the grueling eight weeks he's had."
The rep says Jean plans to take it easy and should get out of the hospital sometime this week.
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Greg Giraldo -- OD'd, But No Suicide Attempt
Sources close to Greg Giraldo tell TMZ the comedian was hospitalized after an overdose yesterday ... but it was not a suicide attempt, as has been speculated.
We're told Giraldo -- best known for his appearances on Comedy Central roasts -- was taken to a hospital in New Brunswick, NJ after he was found by a friend.
According to our sources, Giraldo overdosed on prescription pills ... but it was not a suicide attempt.
We're told he is currently in critical but stable condition.