Last year, Josh Klinghoffer – ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and current Pearl Jam tour member – was accused of striking and killing a pedestrian while driving his GMC Yukon in Alhambra, California. The family of 47-year-old Israel Sanchez sued Klinghoffer for wrongful death and negligence, claiming that the musician failed to yield at a crosswalk and struck Sanchez because he was distracted and on his phone.
Klinghoffer originally pleaded not guilty, but has now accepted a no-jail plea deal after being charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence.
During his courtroom appearance on Wednesday (May 28th), Klinghoffer pleaded no contest. Los Angeles County Judge Rosa Fregoso then sentenced him to one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor. He was also ordered to complete a driver safety class and pay restitution, the amount of which will be determined at a later date.
After entering his plea, a prosecutor read a statement warning him about driving while distracted: “If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder.” According to Rolling Stone, Klinghoffer replied that he understood.
