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Mark Sanchez could face even more serious charges over the violent altercation that saw the ex-NFL star stabbed and left a 69-year-old man battling horrific injuries.
That is according to prosecutors, who have shed more light on the shocking incident that took place in Indianapolis in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Sanchez, 38, is already facing up to six years in prison after being charged with a Level 5 felony battery of causing serious injury. He is accused of instigating a shocking brawl that left him in critical condition and a grease truck driver covered in blood.
The former quarterback was initially arrested on suspicion of committing a series of misdemeanors before they were upgraded to a felony. And on Tuesday, prosecutor Ryan Mears revealed that Sanchez could be in even deeper trouble.
'One of the things in the state of Indiana is you can actually upgrade the battery charge from a Level 5 felony to a Level 3 felony if you have what is known as permanent or protracted loss,' he told NewsNation.
'You're looking for a healthcare provider - a doctor, in particular - to be able to provide that diagnosis and say: what's the long-term impact of these injuries and how is that going to impact the victim?
Ex-NFL star Mark Sanchez could face even more serious charges over his violent altercation
Perry Tole, a grease truck driver, is seen lying in a hospital bed, covered in blood with a huge gash on his face and a brace around his neck
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Sanchez could face even more serious charges
'So those are our conversations we'll have with the treating physicians - the doctors involved with this case - that'll help us make that ultimate charging decision.'
Mears confirmed that prosecutors are still 'waiting' for doctors to 'confirm' the extent of the victim's injuries.
Sanchez is accused of drunkenly accosting Perry Tole as he attempted to back his truck into a hotel's loading dock. Tole told police that Sanchez pursued him, entered his truck and threatened him. That caused the driver to pepper spray the ex-NFL star, according to the affidavit.
Sanchez was allegedly undeterred, however, and continued to strike the man, who fell back into a dumpster and on to pallets.
Tole then pulled out a knife and stabbed Sanchez several times in his chest because, as he told police, he believed 'this guy is trying to kill me.' Sanchez fled after being stabbed, according to the affidavit.
