Pearl Jam Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer Accused Of Causing Wrongful Death Of Pedestrian

Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is being sued for his alleged involvement in a car accident that left one pedestrian dead on March 18.

Klinghoffer, who has worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and is currently on tour with Pearl Jam, is named a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the pedestrian’s family, Israel Sanchez. He sustained trauma to his head and died hours later in Alhambra, California.

“It was a tragic accident,” Klinghoffer’s lawyer Andrew Brettler told TMZ. “After Josh struck this pedestrian in the intersection, he immediately pulled over, stopped the car, called 911 and waited until police and the ambulance arrived. Obviously, he’s cooperating with the police throughout the traffic investigation. This was purely a tragic accident.”

Nick Rowley, prosecuting attorney, delivered a contradicting report to Entertainment Weekly. The prosecution has accused Klinghoffer of using his cell phone while driving his Black 2022 GMC Yukon moments before hitting Sanchez.

“Mr. Klinghoffer should be arrested and prosecuted for homicide,” he said.” “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. Israel Sanchez was on his way to the grocery store to make soup for his family and never came home. He did everything right, looking for oncoming traffic and abiding by pedestrian signage, but tragically Mr. Klinghoffer, in a rush and on his phone, hit him fatally from behind with a large SUV. 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.”

Neither Klinghoffer nor Pearl Jam has commented on the allegations. Sanchez’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, condemned Klinghoffer’s actions in a statement.

“My dad was known for being a great chef, the most talented of his family, the greatest grandpa always full of love and joy,” she said. “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.”