Earlier this year, TMZ reported that Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer was being sued for wrongful death and negligence stemming from a traffic accident. Klinghoffer was driving in Los Angeles County this past March, and video from TMZ shows 47-year-old Israel Sanchez using a crosswalk before being struck by a black SUV driven by Klinghoffer making a left turn. He then pulls over the check the victim before returning to his car and calling 9-1-1.
Rolling Stone has reported that Klinghoffer has pled not guilty to vehicular manslaughter. Sanchez’s daughter filed a civil suit against the guitarist in July seeking a trial and damages including 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.”
“Video of the incident shows that Defendant Klinghoffer made no efforts to brake or slow down until after he fatally struck Mr. Sanchez, indicating that Klinghoffer was likely to be driving while distracted,” Sanchez’s attorney said in a new release. “Video taken seconds before the incident shows an object between the steering wheel and the driver that is believed to be a phone.”
Klinghoffer’s attorneys say it was “purely a tragic accident.” “It’s clear from the evidence that Mr. Klinghoffer was not on the phone at the time of the accident,” the guitarist’s legal team said. “This was a tragic accident. There was no criminal intent, nor is any alleged.”
Klinghoffer was in the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a decade and appeared on two albums. He’s also worked with Pearl Jam and Jane’s Addiction.
