Josh Klinghoffer sentenced to probation after fatal pedestrian crash

Josh Klinghoffer, the former guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, will not be going to jail for the vehicular manslaughter case that was brought against him last year. In August 2024, Klinghoffer—who more recently has been a Pearl Jam touring guitarist—was charged with vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. He was charged with being the driver of an SUV that killed Israel Sanchez on March 18, 2024, at a crossing in Alhambra, California. Klinghoffer pleaded not guilty to the charge in September of last year. Klinghoffer has agreed to a no-jail plea bargain in accordance with court proceedings that were held on May 28, 2025. According to Rolling Stone, Klinghoffer entered a plea of not guilty to the charge as stipulated in the agreement. He will then receive a sentence of 60 days of community service and a year of informal probation. In addition, he has to pay restitution that will be decided later and finish a driver safety course. Ashley, Sanchez’s daughter, was present at the court and spoke directly to Klinghoffer in her victim impact statement, accusing him of causing her family “deep and lasting trauma.” Ashley is still pursuing a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Klinghoffer. After a number of challenges, that suit has been modified. In a hearing held in January of last year, a judge rejected Ashley’s request for punitive damages. At the time, the judge decided that Klinghoffer’s conduct did not prove “willful and conscious disregard” for other people’s safety. On July 1st, the next hearing in that civil lawsuit is scheduled.