The man allegedly attacked by Mark Sanchez in Indianapolis over the weekend has sued the former NFL quarterback and his current employer, Fox.
Perry Tole, 69, filed the lawsuit on Monday, October 6, after Sanchez, 38, allegedly assaulted him in an alley in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 4.
As a result of the alleged incident, Tole stated he sustained “serious bodily injury” due to Sanchez’s “malicious, willful, wanton or grossly negligent conduct.”
According to the lawsuit, Tole suffered severe “permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress and other damages.”
Surveillance footage from the night of the dramatic stabbing incident involving former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez paints a shocking picture. Sanchez, 38, can be seen jogging in the alley behind Indianapolis’ Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 5, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly. In the surveillance […]
Tole also sued Fox Corporation, who Sanchez has worked for as an NFL television analyst since 2021. Sanchez was in Indianapolis to call the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, October 5.
The lawsuit claims Fox has an obligation to ensure that its employees conduct themselves “in a reasonable manner.”
Tole argued Fox should have been aware of Sanchez’s alleged “unfitness” and his “propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct.”
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs and expenses of this action, including attorney’s fees and any other relief that the court deems just and proper.
Us Weekly has reached out to Sanchez’s attorneys Fox Corporation for comment.
Sanchez was arrested after being admitted to a local hospital on Saturday and charged with three misdemeanors: battery resulting in injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Sanchez is now facing a level 5 felony charge during a press conference on Monday, October 6.
The charge carries a penalty of one to five years in prison.
“I don’t care who you are,” Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said during Monday’s press conference. “I don’t care what you do for a living. I don’t care where you live. If you come into our city, commit violence, we will use all the tools that are at our disposal to hold you accountable.”
Tole was performing his duties as an employee of a company specializing in commercial cooking oil recycling and disposal when Sanchez allegedly confronted him in the loading dock of the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.
Sanchez “appeared intoxicated” and instigated a fight with Tole. The former quarterback allegedly told Tole that he had spoken with Tole’s manager, who said his box truck was not allowed to be parked in its location.
When Tole attempted to obtain his phone to call his manager, Sanchez blocked him from doing so. He also allegedly entered the work truck without permission.
After Sanchez physically shoved Tole, the driver used pepper spray in self-defense. Despite the pepper spray, Sanchez continued to advance, resulting in “significant injuries to his head, jaw and neck,” according to the lawsuit.
Sanchez was allegedly stabbed multiple times by Tole during the incident, resulting in his hospitalization.
The former New York Jets star was charged with the three misdemeanors while still at the hospital. He was discharged on Sunday, October 5, and taken to jail.
Sanchez immediately posted a $300 bond and is due in court on Tuesday, October 7.
New details have emerged about the shocking altercation in downtown Indianapolis involving former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez. According to police records obtained by Us Weekly, the 69-year-old delivery driver involved in the alleged attack, referred to simply as P.T., wasn’t wearing his hearing aids when the confrontation began, leading to the initial misunderstanding. “P.T. did […]
Fox has yet to comment on the lawsuit, but did address Sanchez’s arrest during their broadcasts on Sunday.
“Friday night in Indianapolis, one of our team members, Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident that we are still trying to wrap our heads around,” studio host Charissa Thompson said. “At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and all of those involved.”
A similar statement was read by Sanchez’s broadcast partner, Chris Myers, at the start of the game between the Colts and Raiders. Sanchez was replaced by Brady Quinn on the telecast.
“I’m Chris Myers, along with Brady Quinn, who is stepping in for Mark Sanchez,” Myers, 66, said. “And obviously we all want to send out our thoughts and prayers to Mark and those involved in Friday’s incident, as we get ready for today’s game.”