A truck driver, aged 69, who sustained severe injuries in a physical altercation allegedly instigated by former NFL quarterback and sports analyst Mark Sanchez, has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit against Sanchez and his employer, Fox Corporation, in Indiana state court.
Perry Tole’s lawyers lodged the lawsuit in Indiana’s Marion Superior Court, aiming for unspecified damages, including actual and punitive, along with attorney’s fees. The legal complaint blames Sanchez for provoking a late-night altercation with Tole outside an Indianapolis hotel, resulting in significant physical harm, permanent disfigurement, loss of function, and emotional distress.
Additionally, Tole reportedly stabbed Sanchez multiple times during the incident, with a disturbing image of Tole lying in a hospital bed, wearing a neck brace and covered in blood, circulating online.
Fox Corporation’s media contact did not respond to inquiries concerning the lawsuit, while Sanchez’s criminal case representatives refrained from commenting on the legal action.
The lawsuit, which demands a trial by jury, remains unaddressed by Tole’s attorneys, as they are yet to return calls seeking comments.
Sanchez currently faces a felony battery charge, alongside several misdemeanors, following what prosecutors described as a dispute over parking.
Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears highlighted in a press conference the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that the altercation stemmed from an argument about parking spaces, resulting in severe injuries for one of the involved parties.
Reports state that the 38-year-old Sanchez, allegedly intoxicated, confronted Tole after he parked his truck near a hotel loading dock in downtown Indianapolis. According to Tole’s lawsuit, Sanchez entered Tole’s vehicle without permission, leading to a physical confrontation where Tole eventually used pepper spray in self-defense.
As the situation escalated, Tole resorted to pulling out a knife to protect himself when Sanchez continued to advance.
Sanchez was hospitalized due to stab wounds in his upper right torso, as indicated by a police affidavit.
The altercation occurred while Sanchez was in Indianapolis for Fox’s coverage of the Colts versus Las Vegas Raiders game.
Sanchez, who retired from his 10-year NFL career in 2019, played for teams like the Jets, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Washington. Prior to joining Fox Sports as a game analyst in 2021, he appeared on ABC and ESPN for two years.