LOS ANGELES -- On the second day of his civil trial Tuesday actor Keanu Reeves denied striking a celebrity news photographer with his car.

The hero of the "Matrix" trilogy told jurors that he edged his Porsche 911 slowly forward as paparazzi photographer Alison Silva was standing in front of it, and Silva fell backwards.

Silva said he hurt his hand after he fell to the ground when Reeves drove his car into him on March 19, 2007 in the posh Palos Verdes neighborhood in southwest Los Angeles.

Silva claimed $40,000 in medical expenses for the injury.

Under questioning by Silva's lawyer Joseph Farzam, Reeves denied fleeing the scene.

Reeves said he stopped driving, asked witnesses to call emergency services and offered water to Silva.

The photographer was set to take the stand Tuesday afternoon.

In opening statements on Monday, Reeve's lawyer Alfred Gerisch said Silva was three meters (yards) from the actor's car, and he accused the photographer of aggressive behavior.

In September, a Los Angeles judge dismissed assault claims filed by Silva, and said the photographer tripped over his own feet.