Former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez left the hospital Sunday and went straight to jail, where he was booked on felony battery and other charges, then released from custody, police sources said.
The 38-year-old sports analyst had been arrested while hospitalized with stab wounds after being seen on surveillance video drunkenly accosting a truck driver in an alleyway on Oct. 4. The driver, Perry Tole, 69, fought back in self-defense after pepper spray did not work, he told police, explaining that he thought Sanchez was “trying to kill me.”
Tole, who works for a company that collects used oil from restaurants for recycling and disposal, had backed into an alleyway loading dock between the Westin Hotel and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown to do his job. Sanchez started hassling him about parking there and then tried to enter the truck’s cab numerous times, blocking him and knocking him down, Tole told authorities. Sanchez reeked of alcohol, he said.
Sanchez, in town to call the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders, was caught on surveillance video wandering and stumbling around for 20 minutes before the attack.
Sanchez was initially charged with battery resulting in injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, all misdemeanors. A felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury was added last Monday as more facts came to light and police deemed his injuries “significant and very severe.” That carries a potential six-year prison term.
Tole sued Sanchez and Fox Sports on Monday, the ex-athlete for assault/battery and Fox for negligent hiring, retention and supervision. His attorneys said he had suffered permanent disfigurement from a deep gash through his cheek. Although Tole is out of the hospital, he is not well enough to attend his son’s wedding, they told WVIT-TV.
With News Wire Services