
The legal fallout from a weekend altercation in Indianapolis escalated on Monday as prosecutors filed a Level 5 felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury against former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst, Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez, 38, was previously charged on Sunday with three misdemeanors: battery resulting in bodily injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication. The upgraded felony charge is punishable by a potential prison sentence of one to six years.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred early Saturday morning in an alley. According to court records and a police affidavit, the altercation began when Sanchez allegedly confronted a 69-year-old truck driver, who was picking up used cooking oil. Police reports allege that Sanchez, who was scheduled to cover an NFL game in the city, smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words.
Details from a probable cause affidavit, which includes witness statements and surveillance video footage, outline a physical confrontation. The truck driver alleges Sanchez attempted to enter his vehicle. During the fight, the driver deployed pepper spray, which allegedly only briefly deterred Sanchez. The driver, fearing for his life, then reportedly used a knife, stabbing Sanchez multiple times in the upper torso.
Sanchez was hospitalized for his stab wounds and is reported to be in stable condition. The truck driver also sustained injuries, including a severe laceration to his cheek, which the Marion County Prosecutor described as “very severe.” As of Monday, the driver has not been charged.
Prosecutor Ryan Mears stated on Sunday that the incident “should never have happened,” noting that what began as a disagreement “should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured.”
Sanchez, who has since been released from the hospital, is scheduled to appear for an initial court hearing on Tuesday. He was replaced in the broadcast booth for Sunday’s game by fellow former quarterback Brady Quinn. Fox Sports has released a statement acknowledging the incident and asking for privacy for Sanchez and his family.
After released is video of an intoxicated, wounded Sanchez walking on the street after the incident.