69-year-old truck driver seriously injured in accident struggle which prosecutors say was started by former Mark Sanchez, NFL quarterback and sports analyst is suing Sanchez and his employer, Fox Corporation, in Indiana state court.
Perry Tole’s lawyers filed the lawsuit Monday seeking an unspecified amount of actual and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees. The lawsuit accuses Sanchez of instigating a fight with Tole Saturday night outside a downtown Indianapolis hotel, resulting in “severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function” and other injuries and emotional distress.
Tole also stabbed Sanchez multiple times during the fight, according to police. A photo of Tole circulating online shows him wearing a neck brace on a hospital bed, covered in blood with a deep gash on the side of his face.
In an email, Fox Sports declined to comment on the lawsuit. Attorneys representing Sanchez in his criminal case also declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Attorneys representing Tole in the lawsuit, which sought a jury trial, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Sanchez faces a felony charge of battery, as well as several misdemeanor charges, for which prosecutors said Monday it was a fight over parking.
“We’re literally talking about people fighting for a parking spot and/or a dispute over where people park, and that resulted in incredibly serious injuries,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said at a news conference Monday.
A police affidavit says Sanchez, 38, smelling of alcohol, approached Tole, who had backed his truck into the loading docks of a downtown Indianapolis hotel. Tole’s lawsuit says Sanchez entered Tole’s truck without permission, then physically blocked and shoved Tole, who then pepper-sprayed Sanchez.
When Sanchez moved forward after being sprayed, Tole pulled out a knife to defend himself, authorities said.
Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, according to a police affidavit.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of Sunday’s game between the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sanchez had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019. He spent four seasons with the New York Jets and also appeared in games with Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.
He appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years before joining Fox Sports as a games analyst in 2021.
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