Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after he is accused of running over and killing a pedestrian at a crosswalk earlier this year, according to reports.
Klinghoffer, 44, was allegedly behind the wheel of a black GMC Yukon when he fatally struck 47-year-old Israel Sanchez on March 18, according to a lawsuit obtained by the LA Times.
The lawsuit, filed with the LA County Superior Court by the victim’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, claims the guitarist had “thrown and/or dragged” her father “across the asphalt” upon impact, where “he sustained blunt force trauma to the head, and lay on the pavement until medical transport arrived.”
Sanchez was rushed to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena — about three miles away from the crash — at 5:28 p.m., where he later died from his injuries.
“Video of the incident shows that defendant Josh Adam Klinghoffer made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck Israel Sanchez, indicating that Defendant was likely driving while distracted,” the lawsuit stated.
“This horrible outcome was foreseeable and demonstrates a willful disregard for the rights and safety of others.”
The rock guitarist’s attorney said his client “obviously” cooperated with police during the traffic investigation.
The suit claims that police did not or have yet to make any arrests in the case.
“My dad was known for being a great chef, the most talented of his family, the greatest grandpa always full of love and joy,” Ashley Sanchez said in a statement to People.
“His smile was so infectious. His life was taken by a careless act of a person who didn’t bother to look where he was driving.”
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