Indianapolis (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times during a late-night altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in a downtown Indianapolis alley, which resulted in criminal charges against the Fox Sports analyst, according to court records filed Sunday.
Based on hotel video footage of the altercation early Saturday and the driver’s statement to police, a police affidavit alleges that Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted the driver of a box truck that backed into a hotel’s loading docks, leading to a confrontation outside the vehicle that prompted the driver to defensively pull out a knife.
Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, the affidavit signed by a police detective said. Sanchez remained hospitalized early Sunday, according to police. The truck driver, identified as P.T., had a cut to his left cheek, it said.
Sanchez was in stable condition, Fox Sports said Saturday. There was no immediate update Sunday. His initial court hearing was set for Tuesday in a Marion County courtroom.
As the altercation escalated, the driver feared ‘“this guy is trying to kill me’” and pulled his knife as Sanchez came at him, the affidavit said. Sanchez was initially stabbed two or three times, then stabbed again when he went at the driver again, it said.
“Next thing P.T. knew was Mr. Sanchez looked at him with a look of shock, he slowly turned around, and Mr. Sanchez took off northbound in the alley,” the document said.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s Raiders-Colts game. Instead, he was charged with battery resulting in injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — all misdemeanors. Police obtained a warrant for Sanchez’s phone and clothes from the hospital, the document said.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Sunday that his office would “follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.” Mears added that such an altercation between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated to violence.
Sanchez told police at the hospital that all he could remember was grabbing for a window, the court document said. Sanchez stated he didn’t know who else was involved or where the altercation occurred.
Fox Sports panelists recognized Sanchez's absence during their Sunday broadcast, offering thoughts and prayers to him and those involved. Details of the incident were detailed in the affidavit, revealing that Sanchez approached the driver while he was working and initiated the confrontation.
Sanchez’s NFL career spanned 10 years, and he joined Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021 after roles at ABC and ESPN. His future remains uncertain following this incident.
Based on hotel video footage of the altercation early Saturday and the driver’s statement to police, a police affidavit alleges that Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted the driver of a box truck that backed into a hotel’s loading docks, leading to a confrontation outside the vehicle that prompted the driver to defensively pull out a knife.
Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, the affidavit signed by a police detective said. Sanchez remained hospitalized early Sunday, according to police. The truck driver, identified as P.T., had a cut to his left cheek, it said.
Sanchez was in stable condition, Fox Sports said Saturday. There was no immediate update Sunday. His initial court hearing was set for Tuesday in a Marion County courtroom.
As the altercation escalated, the driver feared ‘“this guy is trying to kill me’” and pulled his knife as Sanchez came at him, the affidavit said. Sanchez was initially stabbed two or three times, then stabbed again when he went at the driver again, it said.
“Next thing P.T. knew was Mr. Sanchez looked at him with a look of shock, he slowly turned around, and Mr. Sanchez took off northbound in the alley,” the document said.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis to call Sunday’s Raiders-Colts game. Instead, he was charged with battery resulting in injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — all misdemeanors. Police obtained a warrant for Sanchez’s phone and clothes from the hospital, the document said.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Sunday that his office would “follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.” Mears added that such an altercation between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated to violence.
Sanchez told police at the hospital that all he could remember was grabbing for a window, the court document said. Sanchez stated he didn’t know who else was involved or where the altercation occurred.
Fox Sports panelists recognized Sanchez's absence during their Sunday broadcast, offering thoughts and prayers to him and those involved. Details of the incident were detailed in the affidavit, revealing that Sanchez approached the driver while he was working and initiated the confrontation.
Sanchez’s NFL career spanned 10 years, and he joined Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021 after roles at ABC and ESPN. His future remains uncertain following this incident.
