Ex-Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was seen on security cameras as he moved aimlessly around Indianapolis shortly before a violent incident with a truck driver outside a hotel.
The surveillance footage, obtained by TMZ, depicts the former quarterback wandering downtown for nearly 20 minutes before confronting 69-year-old Perry Tole in an alley between the Westin Hotel and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.
This event took place on Oct. 4 while Sanchez was in the city to work as an analyst for Fox Sports’ broadcast of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Per a police affidavit, Sanchez, who reportedly smelled of alcohol, approached Tole after he backed into the Westin Hotel’s loading docks around midnight.
Seconds earlier, as shown in the video, Sanchez is observed leaning against the alleyway entrance for nearly two minutes, even briefly interacting with a passerby. He then jogs toward a dumpster, halts for a moment, and proceeds to approach Tole.
Tole, an employee of a company that swaps out commercial frying oil, claimed that Sanchez repeatedly tried to climb into his truck’s cab and pushed him when he reached for his phone. Fearing for his safety, Tole stated he used pepper spray in an attempt to deter Sanchez.
It “appeared to have an effect,” but only momentarily, according to the affidavit, so Tole grabbed a knife to protect himself.
Sanchez, left bloodied in wake of the attack, can be seen in the video racing out of the alley before it becomes flooded with first responders.
The ex-Jet was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, according to the affidavit. He’s facing a felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury and three misdemeanors. Tole has also filed a lawsuit against him.
