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Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers star swerves jailtime for running over & killing pedestrian but victim's family is still suing
The star was warned about the dangers of distracted driving HOT WATER Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers star swerves jailtime for running over & killing pedestrian but victim's family is still suing Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EX-HOT Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer has evaded prison after accidentally crashing into and killing a pedestrian with his black SUV. The victim's distraught family is still suing the musician who has also performed with Pearl Jam. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer accepted a plea deal following allegations he failed to yield while driving in 2024 Credit: Getty 5 A grandfather, Israel Sanchez, was killed while walking on a crosswalk Credit: Supplied 5 Officials told the court that Klinghoffer, 45, was driving a black 2022 GMC Yukon when his vehicle struck Israel Sanchez, who was walking to the shops Credit: Trial Lawyers for Justice Klinghoffer, 45, had been facing one year behind bars after he fatally hit Israel Sanchez, who was on a crosswalk. The grandfather, 47, who had been walking to the grocery store to buy ingredients to make soup, was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The star had been driving an SUV and making a left turn in Alhambra, California, east of Los Angeles on March 18, 2024, when he crashed into Sanchez, officials told a court. Klinghoffer was charged on August 29 with vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, a misdemeanor that can bring a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. He was not charged with having any violent intent, only with a failure to yield. Rolling Stone reported on May 28 that Klinghoffer accepted a no-jail plea deal on Wednesday when he appeared in a courtroom in Alhambra, California. The musician pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. The victim's only daughter burst into tears while she told Klinghoffer in court that he had caused her 'deep and lasting trauma." Los Angeles County Judge Rosa Fregoso sentenced him to one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor. Plus, Klinghoffer was ordered to complete a driver safety class and pay restitution - the sum of which will be decided at a later date. Pearl Jam guitarist sued after 'fatally hitting a grandpa with his car' He had been driving a black 2022 GMC Yukon at the time of the fatal crash, the court was told. Sanchez's cause of death was blunt force trauma. A prosecutor warned the defendant about the dangers of distracted driving. He was told, 'If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder." Klinghoffer replied that he understood. His absence has left an irreversible void in our lives The dead man's daughter, Ashley Sanchez, burst into tears while telling the court about her beloved dad. She said in her victim impact statement, "My father was an extraordinary grandfather to my [children]. 'His absence has left an irreversible void in our lives.' She also recalled him as the "heart" of the family, who had a "unique gift for soothing,' while his meals were "more than just food - they were expressions of love and care." Speaking directly to Klinghoffer, Ashley added that the death of her dad had caused her 'deep and lasting trauma.' It was also an 'avoidable loss that has shaken my family," she said. CIVIL LAWSUIT In July 2024, Ashley launched a lawsuit for wrongful death and negligence against the star. According to legal filings, plaintiffs alleged Klinghoffer was driving a black SUV with no license plates and turned left at an intersection with a marked crosswalk. Video from the plaintiffs shows a black car hitting a man - Israel Sanchez - during the turn before pulling over. The footage was obtained from a neighbor's Ring camera. The lawsuit alleged Klinghoffer 'was likely driving while distracted' and 'made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck.' The civil case is set to be heard on July 1. '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 said in a news release last July. '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," she alleged. DAMAGES DENIED In January, a judge denied the family's renewed attempt to seek damages in the lawsuit, Rolling Stone reported. The judge ruled for a second time that the stated claims against Klinghoffer failed to rise to the level of 'willful and conscious disregard' for the safety of others, the outlet added. Before touring with Pearl Jam, Klinghoffer rose to fame as the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 2012, he and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, making him one of the youngest inductees ever. in 2019, he left the band to become a touring member of Pearl Jam and Jane's Addiction. 5 Israel Sanchez, who died after being hit while walking in a crosswalk east of Los Angeles Credit: Trial Lawyers for Justice
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers star swerves jailtime for running over & killing pedestrian but victim's family is still suing
EX-HOT Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer has evaded prison after accidentally crashing into and killing a pedestrian with his black SUV. The victim's distraught family is still suing the musician who has also performed with Pearl Jam. 5 Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer accepted a plea deal following allegations he failed to yield while driving in 2024 Credit: Getty 5 A grandfather, Israel Sanchez, was killed while walking on a crosswalk Credit: Supplied 5 Officials told the court that Klinghoffer, 45, was driving a black 2022 GMC Yukon when his vehicle struck Israel Sanchez, who was walking to the shops Credit: Trial Lawyers for Justice Klinghoffer, 45, had been facing one year behind bars after he fatally hit Israel Sanchez, who was on a crosswalk. The grandfather, 47, who had been walking to the grocery store to buy ingredients to make soup, was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The star had been driving an SUV and making a left turn in Alhambra, California, east of Los Angeles on March 18, 2024, when he crashed into Sanchez, officials told a court. Klinghoffer was charged on August 29 with vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, a misdemeanor that can bring a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. READ MORE SHOWBIZ NEWS He was not charged with having any violent intent, only with a failure to yield. The musician pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. The victim's only daughter burst into tears while she told Klinghoffer in court that he had caused her 'deep and lasting trauma." Most read in Entertainment Los Angeles County Judge Rosa Fregoso sentenced him to one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor. Plus, Klinghoffer was ordered to complete a driver safety class and pay restitution - the sum of which will be decided at a later date. Pearl Jam guitarist sued after 'fatally hitting a grandpa with his car' He had been driving a black 2022 GMC Yukon at the time of the fatal crash, the court was told. Sanchez's cause of death was blunt force trauma. A prosecutor warned the defendant about the dangers of distracted driving. He was told, 'If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder." Klinghoffer replied that he understood. His absence has left an irreversible void in our lives Ashley Sanchez, victim's daughter The dead man's daughter, Ashley Sanchez, burst into tears while telling the court about her beloved dad. She said in her victim impact statement, "My father was an extraordinary grandfather to my [children]. 'His absence has left an irreversible void in our lives.' She also recalled him as the "heart" of the family, who had a "unique gift for soothing,' while his meals were "more than just food - they were expressions of love and care." Speaking directly to Klinghoffer, Ashley added that the death of her dad had caused her 'deep and lasting trauma.' It was also an 'avoidable loss that has shaken my family," she said. CIVIL LAWSUIT In July 2024, Ashley launched a lawsuit for wrongful death and negligence against the star. According to legal filings, plaintiffs alleged Klinghoffer was driving a black SUV with no license plates and turned left at an intersection with a marked crosswalk. The footage was obtained from a neighbor's Ring camera. The lawsuit alleged Klinghoffer 'was likely driving while distracted' and 'made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck.' The civil case is set to be heard on July 1. '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 said in a news release last July. '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," she alleged. DAMAGES DENIED In January, a judge denied the family's renewed attempt to seek damages in the lawsuit, Rolling Stone reported. The judge ruled for a second time that the stated claims against Klinghoffer failed to rise to the level of 'willful and conscious disregard' for the safety of others, the outlet added. Before touring with Pearl Jam, Klinghoffer rose to fame as the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 2012, he and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, making him one of the youngest inductees ever. in 2019, he left the band to become a touring member of Pearl Jam and Jane's Addiction. 5 Israel Sanchez, who died after being hit while walking in a crosswalk east of Los Angeles Credit: Trial Lawyers for Justice 5 Former Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer accepted a plea deal to avoid jail time Credit: Getty
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer avoids jail for vehicular manslaughter charge
Former Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer accepted a plea deal to avoid jail time for accidentally killing a pedestrian in California last year. Klinghoffer, 45, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence in an Alhambra courtroom on Wednesday, Rolling Stone reported. Klinghoffer — who was facing one year behind bars — was sentenced to a year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor for running over and killing 47-year-old Israel Sanchez with his 2022 GMC Yukon on March 18, 2024, in the Los Angeles suburb of Alhambra. 6 Josh Klinghoffer performs with Jane's Addiction at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on March 12, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images Sanchez was transported to a local area hospital and declared dead later that day. Officials ruled his cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head. Los Angeles County Judge Rosa Fregoso also sentenced Klinghoffer to complete a driver safety class and pay restitution to Sanchez's family, which will be determined at a later date, according to Rolling Stone. Following Klinghoffer's plea, a prosecutor warned him of the dangers of distracted driving and said he could be charged with murder if he killed someone again. Sanchez's daughter, Ashley Sanchez, was in tears as she read a victim impact statement about how her father was 'the heart' of her family. 'My father was an extraordinary grandfather to my [children],' the heartbroken daughter told the court, according to Rolling Stone. 'His absence has left an irreversible void in our lives.' 6 Israel Sanchez was killed when Klinghoffer hit him with his car on March 18, 2024. Trial Lawyers for Justice 6 A video frame showing Klinghoffer driving his 2022 GMC Yukon moments before hitting Sanchez. Trial Lawyers for Justice After praising her father as an extraordinary cook and painter with a 'unique gift for soothing' the ones he loved with his meals and art, she addressed Klinghoffer directly. She told the rocker her father's death was an 'avoidable loss that has shaken my family,' and his irresponsible actions have left her and others with 'deep and lasting trauma.' A wrongful death suit filed by Sanchez's family in July against Klinghoffer alleges the musician was using a cell phone and driving a car with no plates when the accident took place. The lawsuit also claims that there is video evidence suggesting Klinghoffer 'was likely driving while distracted,' was using 'a device mere seconds before,' and 'made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck' Sanchez. 6 Klinghoffer of Red Hot Chili Peppers performs live during the Ohana Festival at Doheny State Beach on Sept. 29, 2019, in Dana Point, California. FilmMagic However, police have determined that Klinghoffer was not using a cell phone at the time of the accident. Video of the accident, obtained by TMZ, shows the black SUV making a left turn at the intersection of West Main Street and Meridian Avenue and then striking Sanchez. The driver of the SUV was seen pulling over, walking over to the body, turning around, and quickly walking back to the car. A judge denied the family's renewed attempt to seek damages in the lawsuit in January, according to Rolling Stone. 6 (L-R) Inductees Cliff Martinez, Anthony Kiedis, Jack Irons, Chad Smith, Michael Balzary aka Flea, and Josh Klinghoffer of Red Hot Chili Peppers accept their award on stage during the 27th Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 14, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. FilmMagic The judge ruled that the claims against the guitarist's actions were not 'willful and conscious disregard' for the safety of others around him when he hit and killed Sanchez. Klinghoffer has been a staple in the alt-rock world since the late aughts, joining The Red Hot Chili Peppers as a guitarist in 2009 following the departure of his friend, John Frusciante, from the band. In 2012, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside the band, which made him the youngest inductee at 32 years old. 6 Flea, Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis, and Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2, 2014, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images During his time with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he recorded two studio albums, I'm with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016). In 2019, Frusciante returned, and Klinghoffer was let go from the band. Klinghoffer has recently toured with Pearl Jam as a supplemental musician and contributed to the group's most recent album, 'Dark Matter.' He also releases his own music under the pseudonym Pluralone.
