Josh Klinghoffer, former guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is being sued for wrongful death after a pedestrian accident in Alhambra, CA, in March. The incident involved 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, who was struck and killed by a vehicle allegedly driven by Klinghoffer. The lawsuit, filed by Sanchez’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, claims Klinghoffer was distracted by a cellphone at the time of the accident, as seen in video footage.
According to the report, Sanchez was using a crosswalk when he was hit by a black GMC Yukon. The video shows the driver checking the scene before driving away. Ashley Sanchez’s lawsuit argues that the driver should have seen her father due to the large grassy median providing clear visibility. “His life was taken by a careless act of a person who didn’t bother to look where he was driving,” she said.
Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, defended his client, stating, “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. Obviously, he’s cooperating with the police throughout the traffic investigation. This was purely a tragic accident.”
Klinghoffer joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 and left in 2019. He was the youngest inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 and has performed with other major bands, including Jane’s Addiction and Pearl Jam. This case brings attention to the significant legal and personal repercussions of traffic accidents involving high-profile individuals.
