Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer Slapped With Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Report

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer was named a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit.

On Wednesday, July 10, Josh was accused of negligence behind the wheel after fatally hitting a pedestrian in March before his scheduled tour as a session musician for Pearl Jam. The lawsuit - filed by the victim's only daughter, Ashley Sanchez, in Los Angeles County's Superior Court - claimed the guitarist was distracted by a cell phone while driving a 2022 GMC Yukon without license plates at the time, leading him to strike Israel Sanchez, 47.

Israel was on his way to a grocery store when the accident happened near Meridian Avenue and West Main Street. He died a few hours later after sustaining a blunt force trauma, according to NBC News.

The lawsuit noted that Josh did not attempt to hit the brakes before the impact. The musician reportedly had more than 40 feet of driving space and had 10 seconds to see that a pedestrian was walking in front of him.

He was not arrested after the incident; the musician also did not reach out to the bereaved family.

"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. "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."

Sanchez's family attorney, Nick Rowley, added, "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.

"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," the lawyer firmly declared.

Israel's loved ones filed the lawsuit for medical costs, pain and suffering, attorney fees and more. They also requested a jury trial for the case.

Josh's attorney, Andrew Brettler, sent a statement to NBC News and Rolling Stone in response to the filing. He said his client was involved in 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," Brettler said.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers