Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is reportedly facing wrongful death charges after allegedly killing a pedestrian in a crosswalk earlier this year.
Klinghoffer, 44, was allegedly behind the wheel of a black GMC Yukon when he fatally struck 47-year-old Israel Sanchez on March 18, according to a lawsuit obtained by the LA Times.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court by the victim’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, alleges that the guitarist “threw and/or dragged” her father “across the asphalt” upon impact, causing “him to sustain blunt force trauma to his head and remain lying on the sidewalk until medical transport arrived.”
Video footage of the alleged crash, obtained by TMZ, shows the black SUV making a left turn at the intersection of West Main Street and Meridian Avenue in Alhambra, Cali. — a neighborhood in Los Angeles — before hitting Sanchez.
After hitting the 47-year-old, the driver of the SUV was seen stopping, walking toward the body, turning around and quickly walking back to the car.
Sanchez was rushed to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, about three miles from the crash scene, at 5:28 p.m., where he later died of his injuries.
“Video of the incident shows that suspect Josh Adam Klinghoffer did not brake or slow down until he fatally struck Israel Sanchez, indicating the suspect was likely driving while distracted,” the complaint said.
“This terrible outcome was foreseeable and shows a willful disregard for the rights and safety of others.”
According to Fox11, Sanchez was hit while on his way to the grocery store.
Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, told TMZ it was “purely a tragic accident.”
“After Josh hit this pedestrian in the intersection, he immediately stopped the car, called 911 and waited for police and paramedics to arrive,” Brettler said.
The rock guitarist’s attorney said his client was “clearly” cooperating with police during the traffic investigation.
The complaint alleges that police have not made, and have yet to make, any arrests in this case.
“My father was known as an incredible chef, the most talented of his family, the best grandfather, always full of love and joy,” Ashley Sanchez said in a statement to People.
“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.”
Klinghoffer is being sued for negligence and wrongful death.
Ashley Sanchez told People she is seeking a jury trial and damages for her father’s funeral and medical expenses, attorney fees, and pain and suffering, and the loss of her father’s “love, companionship, comfort, care, help, protection, affection, company and moral support.”
The indictment did not specify the amount the victim’s daughter was demanding.
Klinghoffer is a touring guitarist with Pearl Jam on their 2024 tour, which kicks off May 4 in Vancouver, Canada and ends November 23 in Sydney, Australia.
The LA-based rocker is best known for his stint with the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019. He replaced guitarist and former Ataxia bandmate John Frusciante during his second departure from the alternative rock-funk group.
In 2012, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame along with the band, making him the youngest inductee ever at 32.
During his time with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he recorded two studio albums: I’m with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016).
After Frusciante rejoined the band in 2019, Klinghoffer toured and recorded with Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop and Jane’s Addiction.