The family of a truck driver allegedly assaulted by former NFL player Mark Sanchez have spoken out as the sportsman is hit with battery and intoxication charges.
Sanchez was involved in a ‘physical disturbance’ in Indianapolis near Senate Avenue and West Washington Street at 12.30am on Saturday (October 4), according to the authorities.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released a statement saying it was investigating an incident involving two men.
They noted the altercation that occurred ‘resulted in one man receiving lacerations and the other sustaining injuries consistent with stab wounds'.
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The statement continued: “Both individuals who are not local residents, have been identified. IMPD Aggravated Assault detectives are continuing the investigations and have reviewed video footage of the incident.
“Both men received medical treatment. The man with the apparent stab wounds remains hospitalized in a stable condition."
Photos of the man who allegedly got into an altercation with Sanchez have been shared by his family, including snaps of the unidentified man wearing a neck brace and covered in blood.
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Angela Ganote, from Fox59, shared the photos on Twitter and wrote: "His family says he was cut in the fight and it went through his cheek and hit his tongue."
An affidavit seen by the outlet stated that the truck driver, who goes by the initials of PT, had parked his truck as he was collecting cooking oil from a hotel when Sanchez approached him.
"PT did not have his hearing aids in because his truck is very loud when he is exchanging the frying oil for the hotel, so he had to lean in close to Mr Sanchez to hear him," the affidavit states.
"When PT leaned in, he stated that Mr Sanchez smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred."
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Sanchez is accused of throwing the driver to the ground, before PT stabbed the sports analyst in self-defence, according to a court filing from Indianapolis prosecutors.
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The former NFL star is in a stable condition in hospital.
The 38-year-old has since been charged with battery with injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a vehicle.
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Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said on Sunday (October 5) that the violent incident 'should have never happened'.
"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," he said.
Fox Sports, which Sanchez works for, issued a statement following the incident.
"Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition," the statement reads.
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"We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family's privacy during this time."
Callum Jones