LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is being sued for wrongful death and negligence after he allegedly struck and killed a man in Alhambra earlier this year.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by the victim’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez.
The collision occurred on the afternoon of March 18th.
According to the criminal complaint, Klinghoffer was driving a black SUV when he failed to notice 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, who was crossing the road, and struck him. Sanchez later died.
The lawsuit also alleges that Klinghoffer was using a cell phone while driving, and video footage shows the driver holding something on the steering wheel. The video also shows a 40-foot-wide grass median separating the roads, giving Klinghoffer time to see pedestrians in the crosswalk, the lawsuit says.
Israel Sanchez was shot while on his way to the grocery store to buy ingredients to cook for his daughter and her two sons.
Klinghoffer has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
“I’m still not over it,” Ashley Sanchez said. “It takes a toll on me every day. As a single mom, I try to pretend I’m OK, but the reality is it’s taking its toll on me. I want him to be held accountable. I want the public to be aware. This isn’t the first time something has happened at that intersection.”
She described her father as a fantastic chef and a brilliant artist, and said he was a “very loving and jolly person.”
“I have a painting here that my dad did for me years ago when I was in school,” she told ABC7 on Wednesday. “He used to hold me as a baby and make spaghetti for me. I have so many memories of him spending time with his grandkids.”
Klinghoffer is currently on tour with the band Pearl Jam, who are scheduled to perform in Madrid on Thursday, July 11th.
“The cops didn’t check to see if he was on the phone and just took him at his word,” said Ashley Sanchez’s attorney, Nick Rowley. “Did this happen because he’s the guitarist for Pearl Jam, because he played in the Red Hot Chili Peppers for 10 years? I’m really disappointed in the police here. They didn’t do their job. This guy should have been arrested. They should have checked his phone. We have video evidence that he was fiddling with his device and driving distracted. He hasn’t been charged with anything. He hasn’t even been ticketed.”
“This was a tragic accident. Josh immediately stopped his vehicle, called 911, and waited until police and ambulance arrived. He is cooperating fully with the traffic investigation,” Klinghoffer’s lawyer said in a statement.
Rowley said he hopes police will look at CCTV footage and reopen the investigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
