Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Sunday morning that his office has charged former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports commentator Mark Sanchez in connection with an early-Saturday altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in downtown Indianapolis during which Sanchez was stabbed.
Sanchez, who came to Indianapolis to cover Sunday’s NFL game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders, has been charged with battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication.
The battery charge is a Class A misdemeanor and the other two charges are Class B misdemeanors, according to the charging documents. Class A misdemeanors in Indiana carry potential penalties of up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Sanchez was arrested at the hospital, where he was in stable condition on Saturday. IMPD said it consulted with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office before the arrest.
Police said earlier Saturday that 38-year-old Sanchez was rushed to Eskenazi Hospital with critical injuries after a confrontation with another man in the 300 block of West Washington Street around 12:30 a.m.
The incident took place less than a block from the Indiana Statehouse and in an alley next to Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery, 301 W. Washington St.
According to a police report, Sanchez confronted a delivery truck driver about where the driver was parked. The driver told police he was attacked by Sanchez and unsuccessfully tried to use pepper spray before defending himself with a knife.
The driver, identified only as P.T. by police and the prosecutor’s office, went to Methodist Hospital with a laceration to the face, while Sanchez was stabbed several times in the upper right torso and required surgery.
“This incident should never have happened,” Mears said in a statement. “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. As with any case, we will follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.”
IMPD said in a statement that “all involved parties have been identified, and no further individuals are being sought by detectives.”
Police were able to coordinate surveillance video from nearby hotel with statements from a witness before arresting Sanchez.
Earlier, IMPD said that the incident was not a random act of violence.
“Our city takes pride in being a destination that draws people from near and far, but it’s important that everyone who visits or enjoys our community does so respectfully and peacefully,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement through a spokeswoman. “I’m grateful to the IMPD officers and Indianapolis EMS medical professionals who responded immediately to provide life-saving care. IMPD continues to thoroughly investigate this isolated incident.”
Fox Sports posted a statement earlier Saturday that said Sanchez “was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition,” Fox Sports said in a statement earlier in the day. “We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.”
Sanchez played eight seasons in the NFL after being selected fifth overall by the New York Jets in the 2009 draft from the University of Southern California. He also played for Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.
A Long Beach, California, native, Sanchez starred at USC before he was drafted by the Jets. He passed for 3,207 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading the Trojans to a 12-1 record during his junior year, which included a victory over Penn State in the 2009 Rose Bowl.
He spent four seasons with the Jets, starting each of his 62 games while throwing for 12,092 yards and 68 touchdowns with 69 interceptions. The Jets lost in the AFC championship in each of Sanchez’s first two years in the league.
Sanchez finished his NFL career with 15,357 yards passing, 86 TD passes and 89 interceptions.
The Jets and several of Sanchez’s former teammates posted message of support on social media on Saturday.
“Sending our thoughts and love to Mark Sanchez and his family. Hoping for a speedy recovery, 6,” the Jets said, using Sanchez’s former jersey number.
“Send prayers up for my former teammate mark.. sucks so much to see this,” Kerry Rhodes wrote.
“So sad. Pray for his recovery,” Nick Mangold wrote.