There’s been a new development in the shocking incident regarding former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who was stabbed by a 69-year-old truck driver after allegedly assaulting him outside a hotel loading dock in Indianapolis.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced on the morning of Monday, Oct. 6 that his office has filed a felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury against Sanchez.
“We have added more serious charges against Mr. Sanchez,” Mears said. “At this point in time, we have filed a felony charge, a Level 5 felony of battery involving serious bodily injury which contains a penalty of 1-6 years [imprisonment].”
Sanchez allegedly attacked the truck driver outside of the hotel after a dispute over parking spots around the loading dock. The elderly truck driver used pepper spray on Sanchez initially, but the former Jets QB was able to wipe it off, at which point the driver stabbed him multiple times, allegedly acting in self-defense.
Sanchez was intoxicated at the time of the incident, which is one of three misdemeanors that he is also being charged with: public intoxication, battery with injury, and unlawful entrance of a vehicle.
Sanchez is still in the hospital recovering from his stab wound as of Monday, Oct. 6. He was in Indianapolis to work the Colts-Raiders game for Fox Sports.
Investigation of Incident is Still Ongoing
Mears confirmed that the incident is still being investigated by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey and his team.
“One of the things that I want to stress to everybody is that we are still in the early stages of this investigation,” Mears said. “[Bailey] and his team have a number of search warrants that are still outstanding, they’re still tracking down additional information. This is by no means the end of this investigation, this by no means, means that these are going to be the final charges that we move forward with.”
Mears also said that the age of the truck driver, 69, could be a factor in the punishment that Sanchez receives if he is convicted on the felony charge.
Bailey spoke to reporters about the situation, stressing that his team is taking this case very seriously.
“I want to be clear about this: I donât care who you are, I donât care what you do for a living, I donât care where you live,” Bailey told reporters. “If you come into our city [and] commit violence, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable.”
Images have circulated online of the injuries sustained by the truck driver, pictured in a hospital bed, wearing a neck brace and with a large, deep gash on the left side of his face.
Potential Prison Time For Sanchez
Sanchez is facing a Level 5 felony charge. In the state of Indiana, there are six levels of felonies with Level 1 being the most severe and Level 6 being the least. Level 5 indicates a punishment time of 1-6 years in prison, but also an advisory sentence of 3 years for aggravating circumstances.
Sanchez’s role as the alleged aggressor in the incident couple with the fact that the victim is 69-years-old could lead to the prison time leaning towards the six year mark instead of one.
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