Former Red Hot Chilli Peppers Member Sued Over Wrongful Death

In March, a former member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Josh Klinghoffer, was involved in a car accident that killed a pedestrian. The decedent’s family is now suing him for wrongful death.

The family of pedestrian Israel Sanchez has filed a lawsuit against Klinghoffer, who is presently on tour, playing guitar, with Pearl Jam. The accident occurred in Alhambra, California, on March 18. Sanchez died hours after the collision from blunt-force injuries to the brain.

Klinghoffer, 44, was driving a black GMC Yukon when he was making a left turn and collided with a person who was crossing the street.

Tragically, 47-year-old Sanchez was dragged over the asphalt and suffered blunt force damage to his head in the incident, according to the lawsuit. 

Andrew Brettler, Klinghoffer’s attorney, admitted that his client was behind the wheel and that the whole thing was a “tragic accident.” Brettler added that Klinghoffer is fully cooperating with investigators.

According to the lawsuit, Klinghoffer was distracted by his phone while behind the wheel and failed to use the brakes.

The family possesses “video evidence” that shows Klinghoffer using his phone immediately prior to the crash.

After hitting the victim, Klinghoffer pulls over, walks up to the body, and then walks back to the car, as shown in the video.

No arrests have been made in this matter, according to the lawsuit.

Sanchez’s attorney, Nick Rowley, said Klinghoffer should be arrested and prosecuted for homicide.

Klinghoffer joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 as a replacement for John Frusciante. He has since released two studio albums, I’m with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), as well as a B-sides collection, I’m Beside You (2013).

Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, alongside his Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates when he was 32 years old, making him the youngest to be inducted.

He was subsequently booted from the band in 2019 when Frusciante made a comeback.