Mark Sanchez stabbing: Alleged victim files lawsuit against former NFL QB, FOX analyst

Former NFL quarterback and current FOX Sports analyst Mark Sanchez is facing a lawsuit stemming from Saturday’s stabbing incident and his subsequent arrest in downtown Indianapolis. The alleged victim, 69-year-old delivery driver Perry Tole, filed a lawsuit on Monday.

He is suing Sanchez for assault/battery and FOX for negligent hiring, retention, and supervision, according to TMZ Sports. Tole states in the suit that Sanchez appeared intoxicated and instigated an altercation on the night of the attack. He claims he suffered “severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress, and other damages” in the incident, the outlet reported. Tole specified that he sustained injuries to his head, jaw, and neck.

Tole took aim at FOX, saying the company should have known Sanchez has a “propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct.” He is suing for compensatory and punitive damages.

Sanchez, 38, now faces a Level 5 felony battery charge stemming from his arrest. Later reports from police said Sanchez was at fault for the incident and the other unidentified party was seemingly acting in self-defense. Sanchez was hospitalized but later arrested while in recovery.

Sanchez was in town ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts, though he was replaced by Brady Quinn in the FOX Sports booth. He is scheduled to appear in a Marion County court Tuesday.

Details emerge on Mark Sanchez stabbing incident

The charging document details the altercation between Sanchez and the man identified at Tole based on a combination of first-hand accounts and video provided by both parties and surveillance video from the nearby Indianapolis Marriott Downtown hotel. Surveillance video showed Sanchez appeared to be the aggressor, approaching Tole, who was parked in a loading dock connected to the neighboring Westin Hotel.

Sanchez and Tole appear to exchange words, with the former USC standout repeatedly pursuing the delivery driver even as he attempts to walk away from Sanchez. Surveillance video then shows “Mr. Sanchez grabbing and throwing [Tole] towards the wall of the Westin” before the two begin fighting beside a nearby dumpster, according to the affidavit.

In his statement to police, Tole revealed Sanchez approached him and told the delivery driver he couldn’t park in the loading dock area. Tole then said Sanchez “smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred,” per the affidavit.

Tole told police he didn’t initially know who Sanchez was but assumed he was a manager of one of the hotels because he was “well dressed and groomed.” At this point, Sanchez entered the delivery truck but exited after another exchange of words.

The interactions began to escalate when Sanchez blocked Tole from retrieving his cell phone from the truck, according to the affidavit, and then shoved him. Realizing he was in “physical danger,” Tole reportedly pepper sprayed Sanchez, but it only impacted him momentarily and then pulled his knife because he told police he thought “this guy is trying to kill me,” per the affidavit.

Tole then stabbed Sanchez “two or three times” before the delivery driver was thrown into the side of the dumpster by Sanchez. Sanchez reportedly continued to assault the victim on the ground, but Tole eventually made it to his feet, at which point he stabbed the former quarterback again.

Sanchez, looking shocked at being stabbed again, then fled on foot before meeting police outside a nearby pub, where he revealed “several stab wounds to his upper right torso area.” Both Sanchez and Tole were taken and treated at local hospitals with police later arresting Sanchez on three charges.

Sanchez played 10 years in the NFL as a quarterback, notably for the New York Jets from 2009-13. He was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of USC.

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.