Josh Klinghoffer, former guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has been sentenced after pleading no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. The charge stems from a March 2024 incident in Alhambra, California, that resulted in the death of 47-year-old pedestrian Israel Sanchez.
Appearing in an Alhambra court on Wednesday, May 28, Klinghoffer accepted a plea deal that includes one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor. The musician will avoid jail time under the terms of the agreement.
The tragic incident occurred in March 2024 when Sanchez was struck and killed by a black GMC SUV driven by Klinghoffer while walking in a crosswalk on his way to get groceries. Sanchez died from blunt force trauma sustained in the collision. Following the incident, in July 2024, Ashley Sanchez, the victim’s daughter, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Klinghoffer. The suit alleged that video evidence indicated Klinghoffer was distracted while making a left-hand turn at an intersection.
“Video of the incident shows that defendant Josh Adam Klinghoffer made no braking or slowing motion until after he fatally struck Israel Sanchez, indicating that defendant was likely driving while distracted.”
Klinghoffer’s attorney, Andrew Brettler, told The Times last year: “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.”
The guitarist was subsequently arraigned on the misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge last September.
The prosecutor told Klinghoffer during the hearing: “If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder.”
Josh Klinghoffer has had an extensive career in music. He began performing at age 17 with The Bicycle Thief, a band fronted by Bob Forrest of Thelonious Monster. This group later opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which led to future collaborations. Klinghoffer worked on solo material with then-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante and eventually replaced him in the iconic band from 2009 to 2019, after having already served as a touring member for two years. His decade with the Red Hot Chili Peppers earned him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
After Frusciante’s return to the Chili Peppers, Klinghoffer remained active, joining Eddie Vedder‘s solo band and touring as a multi-instrumentalist with Pearl Jam. He has also released solo music under the moniker Pluralone and has worked with bands such as Golden Shoulders and Dot Hacker. His diverse collaborations include recordings with notable artists like Perry Farrell, Tricky, Gnarls Barkley, Warpaint, Iggy Pop, and Elton John with Brandi Carlile.
