INDIANAPOLIS (NewsNation) — Former NFL quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez was hit with a civil lawsuit Monday after the athlete was criminally charged with one count of battery resulting in a serious violent injury.
The lawsuit, filed in Marion County, seeks unspecified monetary damages stemming from a late-night altercation with a 69-year-old box truck driver in downtown Indianapolis in which Sanchez was stabbed several times and the driver sustained “significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck.”
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by NewsNation local affiliate WXIN, the victim, now named as Perry Tole, told police that Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, approached his vehicle, attempted to climb into the cab multiple times and shoved him when he tried to get his cellphone from inside.
Tole told authorities he then pulled out pepper spray and a knife in self-defense.
The pepper spray “appeared to have an effect” on Sanchez momentarily, but the Fox Sports analyst wiped it from his face and continued approaching, the police documents say.
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Pole stabbed Sanchez several times and “found himself flying back into the dumpster,” according to court documents. After a final stab wound from the driver, Sanchez gave him a “look of shock,” turned around and left the alley.
While in the hospital, Sanchez told police all he could remember was “grabbing for a window” and that he had no clue who stabbed him or how it happened. Sanchez remains hospitalized as of Monday morning, WXIN’s Angela Ganote reported.
Pole’s civil lawsuit names the Fox Corporation as a plaintiff, claiming that because Sanchez traveled to the state of Indiana as a Fox Corporation employee for the Indianapolis Colts vs. Las Vegas Raiders game on Oct. 5.
Sanchez’s family issued a statement Monday night, writing, “This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved. Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days.
“Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.”
NewsNation’s Anna Kutz contributed to this report.