Newly released surveillance footage sheds more light on the chaotic moments leading up to former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez’s alleged attack on a 69-year-old truck driver Perry Tole in downtown Indianapolis.
The video, obtained by TMZ, shows Sanchez wandering the streets near the Indiana State Capitol for nearly 20 minutes before the violent altercation that left both men hospitalized.
In the footage, the former New York Jets star can be seen appearing disoriented — stumbling, leaning against a wall, and breaking into short jogs before circling back toward a loading dock. At 12:25 a.m., Sanchez pauses briefly behind a dumpster, then jogs toward the truck driven by Tole, moments before the pair vanished from view.
Five minutes later, Sanchez is seen clutching his chest and staggering into frame, moments after authorities say he was stabbed by Tole in self-defense during the alleged attack. Police said both men suffered serious injuries in the struggle.
Emergency responders arrived at 12:37 a.m., setting up crime scene tape and treating Tole for wounds to his face and head. Video shows the driver being loaded into an ambulance roughly ten minutes later, wearing a neck brace and covered in blood.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Sanchez, 38, was arrested Saturday, October 4, on felony battery involving serious bodily injury, along with three misdemeanor counts. The incident occurred while Sanchez was in Indianapolis to report for Fox Sports on Sunday, October 5th Indianapolis Colts– Las Vegas Raiders game.
Sanchez remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and has pleaded not guilty through his lawyer.
Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears mentioned in an interview with Good Morning America that the felony battery charge could be upgraded, noting an aggravated battery charge would carry a three-to-16 year prison sentence.
“For us, it’s all about gathering as much information as possible,” Mears said. “Very often times, that comes from medical providers being able to say, ‘As a result of these injuries, this person is going to have to deal with the following things for the rest of their life or a significant period of their life.”
Tole, who told officers he was acting in self-defense, was treated and later released from the hospital. He has also filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez, alleging the ex-quarterback left him severely injured after slashing him in the face and body-slamming him during the altercation.
”I’m fairly positive he has never been in a fight in his entire life,” said longtime friend Gregg Keesling to FOX59 News. “He’s a very peaceful man and in this situation I think faith guided him, as he told me, ‘Faith guided my hands to protect myself.’”
Court documents also revealed new details about the moments leading up to the fight.
Tole told investigators that Sanchez appeared intoxicated and “smelled of alcohol” when he approached the truck.
“P.T. did not have his hearing aids in because his truck is very loud,” the affidavit stated. “When P.T. leaned in, he stated that Mr. Sanchez smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred.”
Sanchez, who has since been released on bond, has not publicly commented. Fox Sports has yet to announce whether he will remain on air pending the outcome of the investigation, but he has been left off the talent sheet for this weekend’s games.
