Back in July, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer was sued for wrongful death and negligence for allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian in Alhambra, Calif. The lawsuit was filed by the family of 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, who was hit by the musician’s car. during the incident on March 18. Klinghoffer was arraigned today in Alhambra on a charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.Through his attorney, Blair Bernholz Burke, the musician pleaded not guilty. Rolling Stone reports.
According to the lawsuit, Klinghoffer was allegedly on the phone while driving a left turn while Sanchez was walking in a marked crosswalk, causing blunt force trauma to the head, and Sanchez died from his injuries hours later, according to the complaint there are no arrests.
Klinghoffer’s attorney in the civil case, Andrew B. Brettler called it a “tragic accident” in a statement to Pitchfork. He is fully cooperating with the traffic investigation,” said Brettler.
“Mr. Klinghoffer should be arrested and prosecuted for murder. We have his cell phone video of him striking and killing Israel Sanchez, his loving father, in a crosswalk,” said Nick Rowley, attorney for the Sanchez family. Diversity. “Israel Sanchez went to the grocery store to make soup for his family and never came home. He did everything right by looking for oncoming traffic and following pedestrian signs, but tragically Mr. Klinghoffer, in a hurry and on his phone, fatally hit him from behind with a large SUV. The loss and grief the Sanchez family is now facing is immense. We will not stop until there is accountability and justice for Mr. Sanchez and his family.”
Klinghoffer played guitar with the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, when he was replaced by returning member John Frusciante. In 2012, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, making him the youngest inductee at the time.Since leaving the group, he has performed as a touring member of Pearl Jam and Jane’s Addiction.