(NewsNation) – The family of former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has issued a statement after Sanchez was charged with a felony in connection with a stabbing in Indianapolis this weekend.
Sanchez, 38, had initially faced multiple misdemeanors after being arrested Sunday following a late-night altercation with a 69-year-old box truck driver in downtown Indianapolis. But on Monday, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said his office filed more serious felony charges after reviewing the incident.
Sanchez is now charged with one count of battery resulting in a serious violent injury, a Level 5 felony, Nexstar’s WXIN reported.
In a statement shared Monday night, Sanchez’s family said the past few days had been “a deeply distressing time for everyone involved.”
“Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,” Sanchez’s family said.
“Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.”
The victim also filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez in Marion County earlier on Monday. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages and says the victim suffered “significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck.”
Mark Sanchez stabbed, pepper-sprayed during incident: police report
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by WXIN, the driver told police that Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, approached his vehicle, attempted to climb into the cab multiple times and shoved him when he tried to get his cellphone from inside.
The driver, identified as “P.T.” in the documents, told authorities he pulled out pepper spray and a knife in self-defense.
The pepper spray “appeared to have an effect” on Sanchez for a brief moment, but the Fox Sports analyst wiped it from his face and continued approaching, the victim said.
The driver stabbed Sanchez several times and “found himself flying back into the dumpster,” according to court documents. After a final stab wound from the driver, Sanchez gave him a “look of shock,” turned around and left the alley.
Victim, 69, hospitalized with severe injuries: court docs
The driver suffered a “severe laceration to the side of his face, penetrating all the way through his left cheek,” per court documents.
While in the hospital, Sanchez told police all he could remember was “grabbing for a window,” and that he had no clue who stabbed him or how it happened. Sanchez remained hospitalized as of Monday morning, WXIN’s Angela Ganote reported.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced the more serious charge at a press conference Monday, citing the victim’s age and injury severity as reasons for upgrading the accusation.
“This incident should never have happened,” Mears said.
“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.”
The felony battery charge carries a potential sentence of one to six years in prison.
NewsNation local affiliate WXIN and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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