Mark Sanchez might face prison time for an altercation with a delivery truck driver on Saturday in Indianapolis that left the driver with serious injuries and Sanchez with stab wounds.
Sanchez, 38, is a former NFL quarterback and current analyst for Fox Sports. Sanchez, who was in town working the Raiders-Colts game, now faces a felony charge of felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury.
Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a press conference that the charge carries a potential penalty of one to six years in prison.
The Indy Star reported that the incident began around 12:30 a.m. when the delivery truck driver, who has not been identified, parked his work truck in a loading dock area. The 69-year-old truck driver collects cooking oil waste from businesses.
ABC News reported that the dispute was over where the truck driver had parked. According to ABC News, Sanchez confronted the driver and even climbed into the truck. Eventually the confrontation turned physical.
"This was a situation that did not need to occur," Mears said. "We are literally talking about people fighting about a parking spot."
He said that the delivery driver sustained serious and significant injuries. Mears added that aside from eyewitnesses, the area is well-covered by surveillance cameras.
"I don't care who you are. 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," said Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey.
The Indy Star reported that once the altercation turned physical, the delivery driver pepper-sprayed Sanchez, but the former professional athlete was undeterred. The newspaper stated that the man told police that he thought Sanchez was "trying to kill" him, so the man pulled out a knife and stabbed Sanchez.
