Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Klinghoffer charged with wrongful death

Josh Klinghoffer, a former guitarist with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is facing a wrongful death lawsuit. He is accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian near Los Angeles earlier this year due to “inattentive driving.”

The lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday (July 10), alleges that on March 18, Klinghoffer was driving a black 2022 GMC Yukon without license plates in Alhambra, California, when he made a left turn and struck 47-year-old Israel Sanchez in a crosswalk. Sanchez later died of his injuries.

“Video of the incident shows that defendant Josh Adam Klinghoffer did not brake or slow down until after fatally striking Israel Sanchez, indicating that defendant was likely driving while distracted,” attorneys for the victim’s daughter, Ashley, write in the complaint, which was obtained by Billboard“This horrific outcome was predictable and demonstrates a willful disregard for the rights and safety of others.”

Sanchez’s lawyers claim they have video evidence showing Klinghoffer “used a device just seconds before colliding with Sanchez.”

The lawsuit alleges that Klinghoffer was not arrested after the incident, went on tour with his band and never contacted Sanchez’s family: “He has shown no remorse for his behavior.”

In a statement to BillboardKlinghoffer’s lawyer Andrew Brettler said: “This was a tragic accident. Afterward, Josh 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.”

After serving as a touring guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the late 2000s, Klinghoffer joined the band as a full-time member in 2010 to replace longtime guitarist John Frusciante. However, in 2019, after appearing on two studio albums, he was fired by his bandmates after Frusciante decided to return to the group. He later toured for Pearl Jam and released solo material under the pseudonym Pluralone.

Specifically, the prosecution accuses Klinghoffer of involuntary manslaughter and negligence – meaning he allegedly knew his actions were dangerous but did them anyway.

“Klinghoffer … was more focused on his personal business than on behaving as a responsible driver,” the lawsuit states. “These decisions culminated in the motor vehicle that caused fatal injuries to the deceased, the
died a terrible and painful death.”

The lawsuit does not state how much damages the family is seeking.