Ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer sued for wrongful death after he struck and killed pedestrian, 47, with his car at crosswalk

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is facing a charge of manslaughter after he struck and killed a pedestrian in a crosswalk with his vehicle in March.

According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZKlinghoffer, 44, who played with the band from 2009 to 2019, was driving a black GMC Yukon in Alhambra, California when he made a left turn and struck a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk.

Klinghoffer’s attorney Andrew Brettler told DailyMail.com that Klinghoffer was driving the car and that the incident was a “tragic accident,” with the musician “fully cooperating” with the investigation.

The pedestrian is named in the complaint as 47-year-old Israel Sanchez. It is alleged that he was dragged across the asphalt during the collision and suffered blunt force trauma to his head, which led to his death several hours later.

Video footage of the incident shows a man crossing the street at a crosswalk as a black SUV turns left.

The complaint alleges that Klinghoffer failed to brake and was “distracted behind the wheel” because he was allegedly on his phone.

The lawsuit states that the family has “video evidence” that shows Klinghoffer on his phone moments before the crash.

The driver of the SUV is then seen stopping after hitting the pedestrian, walking toward the body, turning around and walking back to the vehicle.

The lawsuit states that Los Angeles police have not yet made any arrests in the case.

Brettler’s statement to DailyMail.com said: ‘This was a tragic accident. After the car struck the pedestrian, Josh immediately stopped, stopped the vehicle, called 911 and waited for police and paramedics to arrive.

“He is fully cooperating with the traffic investigation.”

Attorney Nick Rowley, who represents Sanchez’s family, said in a statement obtained by Variety: ‘Mr. Klinghoffer should be arrested and prosecuted for murder. We have video of him on his cell phone at the time he struck and killed Israel Sanchez, a loving father, in a crosswalk.

‘Israel Sanchez was on his way to the grocery store to make soup for his family and never came home. He did everything right, paying attention to oncoming traffic and obeying pedestrian signs, but tragically, he was fatally struck from behind with a large SUV by Mr. Klinghoffer, who was in a hurry and on his phone.

According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Klinghoffer, 44, who played with the band from 2009 to 2019, was driving a black GMC Yukon in Alhambra, California when he made a left turn and struck a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk (2021 photo)

Klinghoffer is pictured with Red Hot Chili Peppers members Chad Smith, Flea and Anthony Kiedis in 2014

“The loss and grief that the Sanchez family is now dealing with is immense. We will not stop until there is accountability and justice for Mr. Sanchez and his family.”

Klinghoffer replaced John Frusciante in the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2009 and recorded two studio albums, I’m with You (2011) and The Getaway (2016), and the B-sides compilation I’m Beside You (2013).

At the age of 32, Klinghoffer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, making him the youngest inductee at the time.

After being dismissed from the group in 2019 following Frusciante’s return, he became a touring and session member of both Pearl Jam (since 2021) and Jane’s Addiction (2023).