Former Purple Sizzling Chili Peppers guitarist and present touring member of Pearl Jam Josh Klinghoffer has prevented a potential jail sentence after getting into a plea deal within the vehicular manslaughter case that was introduced towards him final yr.
Klinghoffer attended court docket in Alhambra, California, yesterday, and entered a no-contest plea within the case, which was introduced after a automobile Klinghoffer was driving struck a 47-year-old pedestrian, Israel Sanchez, in March 2024. Sanchez subsequently died from his accidents.
The no-contest plea implies that Klinghoffer accepts conviction however doesn’t plead or admit guilt. He’ll serve 60 hours of neighborhood service and a yr of probation, and also will undertake a driver security class.
On the time of Kilnghoffer’s arraignment, Sanchez’s household lawyer, Nick Rowley, claimed to be in possession of “a video of him on his mobile phone on the time he hit and killed Israel Sanchez.”
Throughout court docket proceedings, the prosecutor warned Klinghoffer about his future conduct, saying, “Should you proceed to drive whereas distracted, and on account of your driving somebody is killed, you might be charged with homicide.”
Klinghoffer performed guitar for the Purple Sizzling Chili Peppers for 12 years, showing on 2011’s I am With You and 2016’s The Getaway. Since John Frusciante’s return to the RHCP, Klinghoffer has performed with Iggy Pop and Redd Kross along with Pearl Jam, and on Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s collaborative album Who Believes in Angels?