(NewsNation) – The family of former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has issued a statement after Sanchez was charged with a felony in connection with a stabbing incident in Indianapolis over the weekend.
Sanchez, 38, was initially facing multiple misdemeanors following his arrest Sunday, which occurred after a late-night altercation with a 69-year-old box truck driver in downtown Indianapolis. However, on Monday, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced that his office had upgraded the charges to a more serious felony after reviewing the details of the incident.
Sanchez is now charged with one count of battery resulting in a serious violent injury, a Level 5 felony, according to Nexstar’s WXIN.
In a statement released Monday night, Sanchez’s family described the past few days as “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,” the statement read. “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.”
Meanwhile, the victim filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez in Marion County earlier Monday. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and states that the victim suffered “significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck.”
Details of the Incident
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by WXIN, the box truck driver, identified as “P.T.” in the court documents, told police that Sanchez, who reportedly smelled of alcohol, approached his vehicle and attempted to climb into the cab multiple times. When the driver tried to retrieve his cellphone from inside, Sanchez allegedly shoved him.
In response, the driver said he used pepper spray and a knife in self-defense. The pepper spray “appeared to have an effect” on Sanchez briefly, but the former NFL player wiped it off and continued approaching, the victim recounted.
The driver then stabbed Sanchez several times, causing Sanchez to fall backward into a nearby dumpster. After delivering a final stab wound, the driver said Sanchez gave him a “look of shock,” turned around, and left the alley.
Injuries and Medical Condition
The 69-year-old victim sustained a “severe laceration to the side of his face, penetrating all the way through his left cheek,” according to court documents. He was hospitalized with serious injuries.
As for Sanchez, he remained hospitalized as of Monday morning, WXIN reporter Angela Ganote confirmed. Sanchez told police that he only remembered “grabbing for a window” and had no recollection of who stabbed him or how the injuries occurred.
Prosecutor’s Comments and Legal Implications
At a press conference Monday, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears cited the victim’s age and the severity of his injuries as reasons for upgrading the charges against Sanchez.
“This incident should never have happened,” Mears said. “What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured.”
The felony battery charge carries a potential sentence of one to six years in prison.
NewsNation’s local affiliate WXIN and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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