By Jose Antonio Castaneda
Sep 26, 2024, 01:05 AM EDT
Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and contributor to bands including Pearl Jam and Jane’s Addiction, Josh Klinghoffer, was arraigned today in an Alhambra, California, court on charges of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, a misdemeanor under state law, for hitting a pedestrian on March 18.
The musician was sued last July for negligence and wrongful death by Ashley Sanchez, the only daughter of Israel Sanchez, the man who lost his life.
The rocker is scheduled to undergo an arraignment and plea, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Josh is expected to be arraigned later on a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, according to reports.
The accident was caught on camera as Klinghoffer apparently ran over the 47-year-old pedestrian with his GMC Yukon pickup truck, leading to Sanchez’s death a few hours later.
They say he was distracted by his cell phone while driving the vehicle.
Klinghoffer’s lawyers say it was only negligence for him to fail to yield, so the charge he would face would be a misdemeanor. He was therefore released on his own recognizance.
“This was a tragic accident. After the car struck the pedestrian, Josh immediately stopped the vehicle, called 911 and waited until the police and ambulance arrived. He is fully cooperating with the investigation,” Andrew B. Brettler, the guitarist’s legal representative, told news site Pitchfork.
Josh Klinghoffer served as guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019; he was soon replaced by John Frusciante, one of the group’s most recognizable members.
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