DUSTIN HOFFMAN - DUSTIN HOFFMAN IN CAR ACCIDENT RIDDLE

Movie veteran DUSTIN HOFFMAN was at the centre of a car accident riddle last night (6MAR04) - after it was claimed his chauffeur-driven vehicle knocked over a pedestrian in Italy.

The RAINMAN star was reportedly a passenger in the smash, which is said to have took place as Hoffman left the SAN REMO MUSIC FESTIVAL in Rome.

According to local police, the victim - a 56-year-old man - only suffered minor injuries from the incident but they intend to probe the crash to discover exactly what happened.

A spokesperson told British tabloid THE DAILY EXPRESS, "We will speak to witnesses."