Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is being sued for wrongful death following an incident in March in Alhambra, CA, where 47-year-old Israel Sanchez was fatally struck by a vehicle. According to reports, Sanchez was in a crosswalk when a black GMC Yukon, allegedly driven by Klinghoffer, hit him. Video footage shows the driver inspecting the scene before leaving. Sanchez’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, filed the lawsuit, claiming Klinghoffer was using his cellphone while driving, as seen in the video.
The lawsuit alleges that the driver had ample time to see Sanchez due to a large grassy median but failed to avoid the collision. “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 news release. Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, stated, “It was 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.”
Klinghoffer was part of the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He has since toured with bands like Jane’s Addiction and Pearl Jam. The case highlights the potential legal consequences and public scrutiny faced by celebrities involved in tragic accidents.
