Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer: Pearl Jam And that Red Hot Chili Pepperswas sued Wednesday for wrongful death after he was allegedly distracted by his cell phone while driving his SUV in March and struck and killed a pedestrian.
Klinghoffer was sued in Los Angeles County Superior Court by Ashley Sanchez, 47, the only daughter of Israel Sanchez.
According to the lawsuit, Sanchez was on her way to a grocery store to make soup for her family in Alhambra, California, on March 18 when she was walking in a crosswalk when Klinghoffer drove his car into her.
The accident happened near Meridian Avenue and West Main Street. Sanchez stopped at the corner to make sure traffic was clear just before she was struck, according to the lawsuit. Sanchez walked within the crosswalk signs and was about halfway across the westbound side of West Main Street when Klinghoffer, driving a 2022 GMC Yukon with no license plates, made a left turn and struck Sanchez in the rear, according to the lawsuit.
Klinghoffer made no attempt to brake before striking the pedestrian, according to the lawsuit.
Klinghoffer’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, said in a statement to NBC News on Wednesday that his client was involved in a “tragic accident.”
“After his vehicle struck the pedestrian, Josh immediately stopped his vehicle, called 911, and waited until police and ambulance arrived. He is fully cooperating with the traffic investigation,” Brettler said.
Sanchez family attorney Nick Rowley said in a statement that Klinghoffer “should be arrested and charged with murder.”
Rolway said Sanchez had been following traffic laws before his death: “Mr. Sanchez did everything right, including watching for oncoming traffic and obeying pedestrian signs, but sadly, Mr. Klinghoffer, who was in a hurry and on the phone, struck Mr. Sanchez from behind with his large SUV, killing him. The loss and grief that Mr. Sanchez’s family now faces is immeasurable, and we will not stop until Mr. Sanchez and his family are held accountable and justice is served.”
Sanchez’s lawyers say Klinghoffer is currently on tour with Pearl Jam. The lawsuit says Klinghoffer never reached out to Sanchez’s family or expressed any remorse after the incident.
Representatives for Pearl Jam did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It was not immediately clear Wednesday afternoon which police agency was investigating the pedestrian fatality.
Sanchez suffered “excruciating” injuries after being thrown and dragged across the asphalt, and was pronounced dead at a hospital about two and a half hours after the crash, according to the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, Klinghoffer had more than 40 feet of running space and more than 10 seconds to notice pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Video provided by Trial Lawyers for Justice, the law firm representing Ashley Sanchez, shows Klinghoffer hitting Sanchez and then stopping. The firm also provided a still image taken just seconds before the collision that shows Klinghoffer appearing to be holding something, the lawyers said.
“My dad was known as an incredible chef, the most talented man in the family and the best grandpa ever, always full of love and joy. His smile was contagious. His life was taken by the careless actions of someone who didn’t even notice where they were driving,” Ashley Sanchez said in a statement.
According to the lawsuit, Ashley Sanchez is seeking a jury trial and damages, including funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses, legal fees and pain and suffering for losing her father’s companionship, care, affection and protection.
