Lindsay Lohan has become a pop and film star in the US

Los Angeles police said Galo Cesar Ramirez was pursuing Lohan, 18, and her 19-year-old passenger for a photograph.

Mr Ramirez, 24, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly driving his vehicle into Lohan's sports car.

Police said Lohan and her passenger suffered "minor injuries". Her spokeswoman said she was "shaken up".

Ankle injury

Publicist Leslie Sloane said the actress had no comment on the criminal investigation pending against Mr Ramirez.

She added: "Lindsay is extremely upset from the incident caused by the aggressive paparazzi."

Police said Lohan made a U-turn to evade Mr Ramirez and he is said to have intentionally crashed his mini-van into the driver's side door of her car.

Lohan suffered a cut to her ankle and complained of pain in her neck and ankle, police said.

The actress had called police from her mobile phone to complain she was being chased by paparazzi shortly before the crash, police added.

Mr Ramirez, 24, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and on an outstanding warrant for marijuana possession.