Former “Red Hot Chili Peppers” guitarist Josh Klinghoffer pleaded not guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor manslaughter charge in the death of a pedestrian.
Klinghoffer was charged with vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence Aug. 29. His attorney, Blair Berk, entered the plea on Klinghoffer’s behalf in an Alhambra courtroom Sept. 27, according to The Associated Press. Authorities alleged the 44-year-old musician was making a left turn while driving his SUV in Alhambra, California, on March 18, when he hit 47-year-old Israel Sanchez.
Sanchez was walking in a crosswalk at the time and was later pronounced dead at hospital.
OTTAWA, ON – JULY 15: Josh Klinghoffer performs with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on Day 7 of the RBC Bluesfest July 15, 2016 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Mark Horton/Getty Images)
Klinghoffer was charged with failure to yield and was not cited as having any violent intent. The famous guitarist can face a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted, according to the AP.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 05: (L-R) Recording artists Flea, Chad Smith, and Josh Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform in concert during The Getaway World Tour at the AT&T Center on January 5, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)
Sanchez’ daughter filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against Klinghoffer in July. Her lawsuit alleged that Klinghoffer was driving without license plates and was speaking on his cell phone at the time of the collision. Those factors were not part of the original charges that were filed, according to the AP. Sanchez’ daughter has been publicly critical of the handling of this case and has voiced her concern over the police not bringing any charges against Klinghoffer for months after her father’s death. (RELATED: Matt Lauer’s Daughter Faces Legal Trouble After Allegedly Fleeing Scene Of A Crash: REPORT)
Klinghoffer played guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019. He stood in for longtime band member John Frusciante, who has since returned to the band. Frusciante’s role as guitarist for the iconic band led to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Klinghoffer also received the honor, though he said he felt like a fraud for being up there with the band because he was relatively new to the crew. Klinghoffer also famously lent his talents to other influential bands, including Pearl Jam and Jane’s Addiction.
