No jail time for ex-RHCP guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, who entered plea in vehicular manslaughter case
Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Kliffhoffer will not serve jail time following a fatal car accident in Los Angeles last year that claimed the life of a pedestrian.
The 45-year-old musician entered a no contest plea to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence on Wednesday (28 May), in an Alhambra, California courtroom, bringing an end to criminal proceedings that have shadowed his career since the incident.
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Last March, Klinghoffer struck 47-year-old Israel Sanchez as the latter was crossing at a marked crosswalk. Sanchez, who was reportedly on his way to buy groceries for his family, was transported to a hospital but died later that day from his injuries.
The plea of no contest means Klinghoffer accepts the conviction without admitting guilt. He has been sentenced to one year of probation and 60 hours of community service. Judge Rosa Fregoso has also ordered him to attend a driver safety class and pay restitution to Sanchez’s family, with the amount to be determined at a later date.
During the hearing, the prosecutor issued a stern warning to the musician about the dangers of distracted driving: “If you continue to drive while distracted, and as a result of your driving someone is killed, you can be charged with murder,” they said.
The Sanchez family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Klinghoffer, alleging he was distracted and possibly using a device moments before the accident. The suit claims he made no attempt to brake or slow down before hitting Sanchez. According to Rolling Stone, the civil case is ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for 1 July.
Josh Klinghoffer joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2010, stepping in for John Frusciante, and contributed to two studio albums – I’m With You (2011) and The Getaway (2016) – before his departure in 2019. Since then, he has toured with Pearl Jam and released solo material under the name Pluralone.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
