Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is reportedly facing a wrongful death lawsuit after he struck and killed a pedestrian in a crosswalk earlier this year.
Klinghoffer, 44, was allegedly driving a black GMC Yukon when he killed 47-year-old Israel Sanchez on March 18. LA Times.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court by the victim’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, claims that the guitarist “threw and dragged her father across the asphalt” during the collision, and that “his father suffered blunt force trauma to the head and lay on the pavement until emergency medical services arrived.”
The video of the alleged accident is TMZThe video shows a black SUV turning left at the intersection of West Main Street and Meridian Avenue in Alhambra, California, near Los Angeles, and striking Sanchez.
After hitting the 47-year-old man, the driver of the SUV is seen parking, walking up to the body, then turning around and rushing back into his car.
Sanchez was rushed to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, about three miles from the scene of the accident, at 5:28 p.m., where he later died from his injuries.
“Video of the incident shows that defendant Josh Adam Klinghoffer did not brake or slow down prior to fatally injuring Israel Sanchez, indicating that the defendant was likely driving while distracted,” the lawsuit states.
“This horrific outcome was foreseeable and demonstrates a willful disregard for the rights and safety of others.”
According to Fox 11Sanchez was attacked on her way to the grocery store.
Klinghoffer’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, told TMZ that it was “purely a tragic accident.”
“After striking the pedestrian at the intersection, Josh immediately pulled over to the side of the road, stopped his vehicle, called 911 and waited for police and an ambulance to arrive,” Brettler said.
The rock guitarist’s lawyer said his client “clearly” cooperated with police during the traffic accident investigation.
The lawsuit alleges that police have not made or have yet made any arrests in the case.
“My father was known as an incredible chef, the most talented man in our family and an amazing grandfather who was always full of love and joy,” Ashley Sanchez said in a statement. people.
“His smile was contagious. His life was taken by a careless act of not paying attention to where he was driving.”
Klinghoffer is being sued for negligence and wrongful death.
Ashley Sanchez told People magazine she is seeking a jury trial and damages for her father’s funeral, burial, medical expenses, legal fees, pain and suffering, and the loss of her father’s “love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, companionship and emotional support.”
The lawsuit did not state the amount the victim’s daughter was seeking.
Klinghoffer is the guitarist for Pearl Jam’s 2024 tour, which kicks off in Vancouver, Canada on May 4 and wraps up in Sydney, Australia on November 23.
The Los Angeles-born rocker is best known for his stint in the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, replacing guitarist and former Ataxia bandmate John Frusciante upon his second departure from the alternative rock-funk group.
In 2012, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band, making him the youngest inductee ever at age 32.
During his time with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he recorded two studio albums, I’m with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016).
Since Frusciante rejoined the band in 2019, Klinghoffer has toured and recorded with Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop and Jane’s Addiction.
