Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was allegedly under the influence of cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and alcohol during an alleged confrontation with a truck driver last October, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly.
Attorneys for Perry Tole, 69, cite a “preliminary investigation” that revealed Sanchez, 39, had taken “multiple illegal substances.”
“[This is] including but not limited to cocaine, marijuana, fentanyl, and alcohol,” the filing reads. “Plaintiff has cause to believe that one or more of these substances may have been consumed in one of Huse’s establishments, which caused or contributed to Sanchez’s impairment and his subsequent negligent and/or knowing conduct.”
Sanchez and Tole were both hospitalized after the incident with Sanchez sustaining multiple stab wounds.
The filing did not include direct evidence that Sanchez knowingly and purposefully ingested the illegal substances, but called for an additional investigation. Sanchez’s attorney, Andrew M. McNeil, denied the allegations in a statement to Us.
“These are allegations in a civil filing, nothing more, and they should be treated accordingly,” the statement read. “Allegations are not evidence. The truth will be determined by facts and evidence presented at trial, and we look forward to presenting them at the appropriate time.”
The incident occurred in Indianapolis, Indiana, while Sanchez was in town to cover the Colts’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders the following day for Fox Sports. He is accused of accosting Tole, a truck driver, who was backing his vehicle into a hotel’s loading dock. Sanchez allegedly entered the truck without permission, preventing Tole from exiting. He is then accused of shoving Tole, who allegedly sprayed the former quarterback with pepper spray before he pulled a knife to defend himself.
Sanchez was booked in an Indianapolis jail and charged with three misdemeanors: battery resulting in injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. Prosecutors added a felony 5 charge days later, which carries a penalty of one to five years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Fox Sports fired Sanchez in November amid the fallout from his arrest.
“We can confirm that Mark Sanchez is no longer with the network,” a Fox Sports spokesperson told Us at the time. “There will be no further comment at this time.”
Sanchez himself released a statement to Us through his brother, Nick Sanchez Jr., addressing his departure.
“It’s been a long month for Mark as he continues to recover from serious injuries while also grieving the loss of a close friend,” Nick wrote. “While the recent news — and its timing — is understandably disappointing, our priority remains his continued healing and recovery. Mark deeply values his time at Fox and the exceptional colleagues he’s had the privilege to work with. Those relationships are meaningful and will endure.”
Sanchez’s trial, which was originally slated for March 2026, will now begin April 9. The delay was the result of Sanchez’s lawyers, which requested a continuance of the case. Further delays are still possible, according to NBC Sports.
