Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after he is accused of running over and killing a pedestrian at a crosswalk earlier this year, according to reports.
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 with the LA County Superior Court by the victim’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, claims the guitarist had “thrown and/or dragged” her father “across the asphalt” upon impact, where “he sustained blunt force trauma to the head, and lay on the pavement until medical transport arrived.”
Video of the alleged accident, 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 of Los Angeles — and then striking Sanchez.
After hitting the 47-year-old, the driver of the SUV was seen pulling over, walking over to the body, turning around, and quickly walking back to the car.
Sanchez was rushed to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena — about three miles away from the crash — at 5:28 p.m., where he later died from his injuries.
“Video of the incident shows that defendant Josh Adam Klinghoffer made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck Israel Sanchez, indicating that Defendant was likely driving while distracted,” the lawsuit stated.
“This horrible outcome was foreseeable and demonstrates a willful disregard for the rights and safety of others.”
According to Fox11, Sanchez was on his way to the grocery store when he was hit.
Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, told TMZ it was “purely a tragic accident.”
“After Josh struck this pedestrian in the intersection, he immediately pulled over, stopped the car, called 911 and waited until police and the ambulance arrived,” Brettler shared.
The rock guitarist’s attorney said his client “obviously” cooperated with police during the traffic investigation.
The suit claims that police did not or have yet to make any arrests in the case.
“My dad was known for being a great chef, the most talented of his family, the greatest grandpa 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, burial and medical expenses, attorney fees and pain, and the loss of her father’s “love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society and moral support.”
The suit did not list an amount being sought after by the victim’s daughter.
Klinghoffer is a touring guitarist with Pearl Jam on their 2024 tour, which kicked off in Vancouver, Canada, on May 4 and will end in Sydney, Australia, on Nov. 23.
The LA native rocker is most notably known for his run with the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, replacing 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 alongside the band, which made him the youngest inductee at 32 years old.
During his time with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he recorded two studio albums, I’m with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016).
Following Frusciante rejoining the band in 2019, Klinghoffer has toured and recorded with Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop, and Jane’s Addiction.
