Mark Sanchez faces up to six years in jail if found guilty of felony battery charges filed against him after an altercation.
Mark Sanchez could face up to six years in jail if found guilty of felony battery charges filed against him after an altercation with a truck driver in Indianapolis.
Despite the former NFL quarterback being stabbed during the confrontation, authorities decided to charge him, as it appears Sanchez was the instigator of the incident. He is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and is scheduled to have his first hearing on November 4.
Meanwhile, the truck driver involved in the altercation with Mark Sanchez is also hospitalized and has sued the former football players over the violent incident.
The Fox Sports Analyst Was Charged With Felony Battery
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Mark Sanchez's violent confrontation with an elderly truck driver in Indianapolis has landed him in legal trouble that could result in significant jail time, per The Guardian.
The former NFL quarterback now risks facing up to six years in prison after being charged with level five felony battery involving "serious bodily injury" over a heated roadside clash that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The football analyst was previously charged with three other counts: battery with injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a vehicle, on Sunday. The new felony charge was then added after the victim's medical condition was determined to be severe.
"Once we were provided with additional information about the victim's current medical condition, it became clear to us that additional charges needed to be filed," Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement on Monday.
All About The Shocking Incident
According to a police affidavit obtained by the outlet, the 69-year-old truck driver, identified only as "PT," was at a loading bay outside a hotel when Sanchez suddenly attempted to enter his truck.
At the time, PT was collecting used cooking oil from the hotel and claimed he immediately noticed that Sanchez smelled strongly of alcohol.
The driver alleged that Sanchez told him the hotel manager had changed their mind about having the oil collected, which led to a back-and-forth exchange that quickly turned physical.
In the affidavit, PT also revealed that he tried to defend himself during the confrontation, as he believed Sanchez was "trying to kill me."
He first used pepper spray on the former quarterback and then stabbed him "two or three times." Meanwhile, Sanchez allegedly threw PT against a dumpster and then "took off" after being shocked by his actions.
The Elderly Truck Driver Has Sued Mark Sanchez And Fox Sports
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A day after the shocking incident, the family of the truck driver told the New York Post that "he's OK."
They also revealed that they are seeking legal counsel for their next steps as PT continues to recover from the injuries he sustained.
"We are talking to lawyers first. We want to be careful what's said. We appreciate that," they added.
What followed next was a lawsuit from PT, which named both Sanchez and his employer, Fox Sports, and requested punitive and compensatory damages.
The Alleged Victim Claims Mark Sanchez's Attacks Have Left Him 'Permanently Disfigured'
In the suit, obtained by the outlet, PT claimed he was left "permanently disfigured" by Sanchez's alleged actions during the incident.
The lawsuit also reiterated PT's affidavit claim that Sanchez appeared intoxicated and added that the football commentator was the instigator of the altercation.
It further stated that PT suffered "significant injuries to his head, jaw, and neck," and that Sanchez allegedly used PT's own knife to stab him through the cheek, causing a cut on his tongue.
The Former NFL QB And The Truck Driver Sustained Injuries
Both Sanchez and the elderly driver, identified as PT, were hospitalized after sustaining injuries during the altercation.
While Sanchez suffered a stab wound to his torso, PT sustained deep cuts to his face and is currently wearing a neck brace.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears confirmed their injuries in his statement, in which he described PT's injuries as "very severe," while Sanchez's were deemed non-life-threatening.
He also provided more information about the incident, claiming it was "about people fighting over a parking space."
He went on to hint that the authorities have enough information to investigate the incident, given the numerous witnesses and security cameras.
On Sunday, Sanchez was discharged from the hospital and booked at the Marion County Jail on the initial set of charges.
He is currently out on bail and is expected to have his first hearing on November 4. The hearing was initially scheduled for October but was postponed, seemingly due to the Fox Sports analyst's injuries.
Category: General Sports
