Reports: Pearl Jam’s Josh Klinghoffer Sued for Pedestrian’s Wrongful Death

Josh Klinghoffer, a guitarist renowned for his work with Pearl Jam and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is reportedly facing a lawsuit for wrongful death and negligence related to a fatal pedestrian collision.

Ashley Sanchez has filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles against the 44-year-old musician on behalf of her late father, Israel Sanchez. The suit claims Israel Sanchez, 47, was struck by an SUV with no license plate at a crosswalk on March 18. According to the provided documents from the Los Angeles Times and Deadline, the collision resulted in Israel being “thrown and/or dragged across the asphalt where he sustained blunt force trauma to the head,” eventually leading to his death at the hospital hours later.

The lawsuit highlights that video footage of the incident shows Klinghoffer did not take any noticeable braking or slowing actions until after the collision. This, it contends, suggests that Klinghoffer was likely driving while distracted, allegedly using a device moments before hitting Israel Sanchez.

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for the Sanchez family, Klinghoffer, and Pearl Jam but has yet to receive a response.

Andrew Brettler, Klinghoffer’s attorney, described the event as a “tragic accident” during a conversation with NBC News and the L.A. Times. “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,” Brettler explained.

Nick Rowley, one of Ashley Sanchez’s attorneys, expressed a strong stance in conversations with Entertainment Weekly and Deadline, claiming that Klinghoffer “should be arrested and prosecuted for homicide.”

Ashley Sanchez also shared her sorrow and frustration in comments to EW and NBC, saying, “My dad was known for being a great chef, the most talented of his family, the greatest grandpa always full of love and joy. 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.”

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, attorney fees, and damages covering various costs including Israel Sanchez’s funeral, burial, and medical expenses, as well as compensation for Ashley Sanchez’s pain and suffering.

Klinghoffer was a guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019 and has also toured with bands like Jane’s Addiction. He is presently on tour with Pearl Jam.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pearl Jam guitarist Josh Klinghoffer sued for wrongful death of pedestrian: Reports