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Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is being sued for wrongful death after he struck and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle at a crosswalk in March.
According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Klinghoffer, 44, who played with the band from 2009-2019, was driving a black GMC Yukon in Alhambra, California when he made a left turn and ran into a pedestrian who was using a crosswalk.
Klinghoffer’s attorney Andrew Brettler told DailyMail.com that Klinghoffer was driving the vehicle and that the incident was a ‘tragic accident’ – with the musician ‘fully cooperating’ with an investigation.
The suit names the pedestrian as 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, and claims he was dragged across the asphalt during the collision and sustained blunt force trauma to his head, causing his death hours later.
In video obtained of the incident, a man is seen crossing the street at the crosswalk when a black SUV makes a left turn.
Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is being sued for wrongful death after he struck and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle at a crosswalk in March – pictured 2018
The lawsuit claims Klinghoffer did not apply his brakes, while also alleging he was ‘distracted behind the wheel’ due to allegedly being on his phone.
The suit adds that the family has ‘video evidence’ showing Klinghoffer on his phone just before the collision.
The video then shows the SUV driver pulling over after striking the pedestrian, before walking over to the body and then turning around and walking back to the vehicle.
The lawsuit states LA police have not made any arrests in the case.
Brettler’s statement to DailyMail.com read: ‘This was a tragic accident. After the car struck the pedestrian, Josh immediately pulled over, stopped the vehicle, called 911, and waited until police and the ambulance arrived.
‘He is fully cooperating with the traffic investigation.’
Attorney Nick Rowley – who is representing the family of Sanchez, said in a statement obtained by Variety: ‘Mr. Klinghoffer should be arrested and prosecuted for homicide. We have a video of him on his cell phone at the time he hit and killed Israel Sanchez, a loving father, in a crosswalk.
‘Israel Sanchez was on his way to the grocery store to make soup for his family and never came home. He did everything right, looking for oncoming traffic and abiding by pedestrian signage, but tragically Mr. Klinghoffer, in a rush and on his phone, hit him fatally from behind with a large SUV.
According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ , Klinghoffer, 44, who played with the band from 2009-2019, was driving a black GMC Yukon in Alhambra, California when he made a left turn and ran into a pedestrian who was using a crosswalk(pictured 2021)
Klinghoffer is pictured with the Red Hot Chili Peppers members Chad Smith, Flea and Anthony Kiedis in 2014
‘The loss and grief that the Sanchez family now faces is immense. We will not stop until there is accountability and justice for Mr. Sanchez and his family.’
Klinghoffer replaced John Frusciante in the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 and recorded two studio albums, I’m with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), and the B-sides compilation I’m Beside You (2013).
Age 32, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2012, making him the youngest inductee at the time.
After he was booted out of the group in 2019 following Frusciante’s return, he became a touring and session member of both Pearl Jam (since 2021) and Jane’s Addiction (2023).