Josh Klinghoffer was once the guitarist and a touring member of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Klinghoffer was fired from the band in 2019 after 10 years with the “Californication” hitmakers and went on to join Jane’s Addiction and Pearl Jam as a touring member. Now, it looks like he’s in some hot water after a car accident that claimed the life of an innocent bystander.
The accident took place during daylight on March 18, 2024. Klinghoffer’s lawyer has confirmed that he was indeed behind the wheel of his SUV when the accident occurred. Video footage of the accident from TMZ shows the guitarist’s GMC Yukon turning left next to a crosswalk in Alhambra, California, when the car struck the victim named in the lawsuit as Israel Sanchez.
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The horrific video footage shows the black SUV running over and even dragging 47-year-old Sanchez for a moment before stopping. Klinghoffer stopped, exited his car, examined Sanchez, then returned to his vehicle to call and wait for first responders. Sanchez died from blunt force trauma just two hours later.
Is Josh Klinghoffer Going To Prison?
In the wake of the accident, Klinghoffer is being sued for both wrongful death and negligence. The lawsuit notes that Josh Klinghoffer was “distracted” and did not immediately stop the car when it struck Sanchez. The Los Angeles Police Department has not arrested Klinghoffer as of yet, but Sanchez’s family is suing him for damages.
“It was a tragic accident,” said Klinghoffer’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, in a quick interview with TMZ. “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.”
It’s not clear what was allegedly distracting Klinghoffer during the accident. Additional details about the lawsuit involving Josh Klinghoffer and the family of Israel Sanchez have not yet been released.
Photo by Kevin Winter
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