Josh Klinghoffer sued for negligent homicide after fatal traffic accident

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer faced a wrongful death lawsuit Wednesday, accusing him of negligent driving that led to the death of his grandfather, 47-year-old Californian Israel Sanchez.

According to the lawsuit filed in California Supreme Court on behalf of Sanchez’s daughter Ashley, the incident occurred in March 2024, shortly before Klinghoffer began touring as a session musician for Pearl Jam. The lawsuit alleges that the guitarist, who was driving an SUV without license plates, was distracted by his phone and struck Sanchez, who was on his way to the grocery store to prepare something for his family. Sanchez died later that day from blunt force trauma.

The lawsuit also claims that Klinghoffer was not arrested after the incident and that he never contacted the family. It includes up to 20 people identified as agents, servants, employees and others associated with the musician.

“My father was known as a great cook, the most talented in his family, the greatest grandfather, always full of love and joy,” Ashley Sanchez said in a press release. “His smile was so contagious. His life was taken by the careless act of someone who wasn’t paying attention to where he was driving.”

“Mr. Klinghoffer should be arrested and charged with manslaughter. We have video on his cell phone of him hitting and killing Israel Sanchez, a loving father, in a crosswalk,” added family attorney Nick Rowley.

The family is suing Klinghoffer for damages, medical costs, legal fees and more. They are currently demanding a jury trial. “This was a tragic accident,” says Klinghoffer’s lawyer Rolling Stone“Josh then immediately pulled over, stopped the vehicle, called 911 and waited for the police and ambulance to arrive. He is cooperating fully with the traffic police.”

Klinghoffer was fired by his Chili Pepper bandmates in 2019 when their longtime guitarist John Frusciante decided to rejoin the group. He soon went solo under the name Pluralone, opening for Pearl Jam before joining the band in 2021. He can be found on their latest album. Dark matter.