Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer has pleaded not guilty to a charge of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian in California on Mar. 18, 2024. The victim, Israel Sanchez, was declared dead later that day due to blunt force trauma to the head. Klinghoffer, who was driving a black GMC Yukon, was sued by Sanchez’s family who allege he was distracted by a cell phone at the time of the accident.
Lawyers for Klinghoffer claim there was no cell phone involved in the cause of the accident. The LA County DA’s charge does not allege gross negligence in this case. However, video evidence suggests Klinghoffer was holding a phone in the moments leading up to the collision. The victim’s family lawyer believes there was negligence on Klinghoffer’s part and there is skepticism regarding exculpatory evidence.
Klinghoffer’s attorney maintains it was a tragic accident and that Klinghoffer stopped immediately after the collision, called 911, and cooperated with authorities. Klinghoffer, who was a member of Red Hot Chili Peppers until 2019, is currently touring with Pearl Jam and has released music under the name Pluralone. The trial is ongoing, and the case has sparked controversy around the circumstances of Sanchez’s death and Klinghoffer’s involvement.
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