Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist sued for manslaughter in alleged fatal collision

LOS ANGELES – Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is being sued for wrongful death and negligence after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian earlier this year.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by Ashley Sanchez, the daughter of 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, who died when he was struck in a crosswalk in Alhambra, east of Los Angeles.

The collision occurred on the afternoon of March 18, when Klinghoffer was driving a black SUV without license plates and turned left at an intersection with a marked crosswalk, according to the plaintiffs.

A video provided by the plaintiffs shows a black car hitting a man identified as Israel Sanchez as he made a turn before stopping. The footage came from a neighbor’s Ring camera. Israel Sanchez suffered blunt force trauma to the head and died of his injuries a few hours later in the hospital, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also alleges that Klinghoffer was using a cellphone while driving, as video footage shows the driver holding an object over the steering wheel. The video also shows a 40-foot-wide grassy median dividing the road that should have given Klinghoffer time to see pedestrians in the crosswalk, the lawsuit says.

“My father was known as a great cook, the most talented in his family, the greatest grandfather, always full of love and joy,” Ashley Sanchez said in a press release. “His smile was so contagious. His life was taken by the carelessness of someone who wasn’t paying attention to where he was driving.”

Klinghoffer is currently on tour with the band Pearl Jam. He could not be reached for comment.

The plaintiff’s attorney, Nick Rowley, called the incident a “negligent homicide” that was not properly investigated by law enforcement.

“They never charged the man or even ticketed him for crossing the crosswalk and killing someone,” Rowley said. “It’s a terrible injustice.”

Alhambra police spokesman Sergeant Brian Chung said the case was still active and he could not comment further.