Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist
Josh Klinghoffer is facing a lawsuit after allegedly running over and killing a pedestrian in Alhambra, California.
The incident occurred on March 18, when 44-year-old Klinghoffer struck Israel Sanchez, 47, who was on his way to buy groceries to make soup for his family.
Sanchez was crossing a marked crosswalk when Klinghoffer, who was reportedly distracted, made a left turn and hit him from behind.
The lawsuit, filed by Sanchez’s daughter Ashley on July 10 in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Klinghoffer was “likely driving while distracted” and was “using a device mere seconds before” the collision.
According to the lawsuit, Klinghoffer made no attempt to brake or slow down before hitting Sanchez, who was then “thrown and/or dragged across the asphalt.” Sanchez suffered blunt force trauma to the head and was taken to the hospital, where he died approximately 2½ hours later from his injuries.
Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, described the incident as a “tragic accident.” He stated that after the collision, Klinghoffer immediately pulled over, stopped his car, called 911, and waited for the authorities and ambulance to arrive.
Brettler emphasized that Klinghoffer has been fully cooperating with the police investigation. No arrests have been made in connection with the accident.
The lawsuit also notes that Klinghoffer, who is currently on tour with Pearl Jam, has not contacted the Sanchez family since the incident and has shown “no remorse for his behavior.”
Video footage obtained by PEOPLE shows a black GMC Yukon, believed to be driven by Klinghoffer, striking Sanchez without slowing down. The car then pulls to the side of the road, and a man steps out, though his identity as Klinghoffer cannot be confirmed from the video.
Additionally, a photo allegedly shows Klinghoffer holding a cellphone just moments before the accident.
Ashley Sanchez, the daughter of the victim, expressed her grief and frustration in a statement to PEOPLE.
“My dad was known for being a great chef, the most talented of his family, the greatest grandpa always full of love and joy,” she said. “His smile was so infectious. His life was taken by a careless act of a person who didn’t bother to look where he was driving.”
Ashley Sanchez is seeking a jury trial and damages that include funeral, burial, and medical expenses, as well as attorney fees and compensation for the loss of her father’s “love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society and moral support.”
She has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover these expenses.
Klinghoffer, who joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 after John Frusciante’s departure and left the band in 2019 upon Frusciante’s return, recorded two studio albums with the group: “I’m With You” (2011) and “The Getaway” (2016). After his departure, Klinghoffer admitted to struggling with the situation, telling Rolling Stone that leaving the band “truly felt like a death.”
NEWS SOURCE: PEOPLE