Update Tuesday 29 October 2024: Josh Klinghoffer, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and current Pearl Jam touring member, has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of manslaughter without gross negligence in connection with a March 2024 car crash that left a pedestrian dead. Six months after he allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian crossing a crosswalk in California, Klinghoffer entered the plea in an Alhambra courtroom through his attorney, Blair Berk, on Sept. 27, according to Reuters . Associated Press. The 45-year-old rocker did not attend his hearing, a source said New York Post that it is normal for lawyers to appear without the parties involved in misdemeanor cases.

Klinghoffer, who is accused of running over and killing 47-year-old Israel Sanchez, faces up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine if convicted. He is not accused of having any violent intent, just of not giving in. Klingoffer’s criminal case is due back in court on October 31.

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In addition to the criminal charge, Klinghoffer also faces a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Sanchez’s family in July. On Oct. 18, a Superior Court judge dismissed major portions of the lawsuit, ruling that the victim’s daughter, Ashley Sanchez, failed to show that Klinghoffer’s actions rose to the level of “despicable and intentional” conduct necessary to seek punitive damages. Conformable Rolling Stonethe judge said that “the facts alleged by the plaintiff here clearly allege that the defendant was careless, even reckless. However, recklessness is insufficient to support a claim for punitive damages.” He added that the plaintiff can file an amended lawsuit but would have to add new facts that allegedly show “bad motive.”

Original story, Thursday, September 26, 2024: Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer faces criminal charges in connection with a car accident from March 2024 in which he fatally struck a pedestrian. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, a touring member of Pearl Jam, will be arraigned Thursday in a California court on a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, according to KTLA 5 News and deadline.

The charge stems from a March 18 crash that was caught on video from a nearby security camera. Klinghoffer is accused of driving a GMC Yukon on Meridian Avenue near West Main Street in Alhambra, Calif., and striking pedestrian Israel Sanchez, 47, as he walked in a crosswalk. Andrew Brettler, Klinghoffer’s attorney, said in an earlier statement that Klinghoffer “immediately stopped, called 911 and remained at the scene until police and paramedics arrived.”

Sanchez “suffered ‘excruciating’ injuries after being ‘thrown and/or dragged across the tarmac,'” according to the report a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his daughter, Ashley Sanchez, in Los Angeles Superior Court in July. Sanchez was pronounced dead at Huntington Hospital at 5:28 p.m., according to court records.

Whether or not Klinghoffer was distracted while driving has been debated. Sanchez’s family claimed the guitarist was distracted while driving and failed to brake in time.

“The video of the incident shows that defendant Klinghoffer made no effort to brake or slow down until after he fatally struck Mr. Sanchez, indicating that Klinghoffer was likely driving while distracted,” his family’s attorneys said Sanchez in a press release. “Video taken seconds before the incident shows an object believed to be a phone between the steering wheel and the driver.”

However, Klinghoffer’s legal team contested the distracted driving charges, with Brettler telling KTLA 5 News, “It’s clear from the evidence that Mr. Klinghoffer was not on his phone at the time of the accident. This was a tragic accident. There was no criminal intent and no intent is alleged.”

Klinghoffer, who spent a decade with the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019 and also played with Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop and Morrissey, will be arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of manslaughter without gross negligence at Alhambra, California. Court at 8:30 a.m. PT. He was released on his own recognizance.