Former NFL QB faces felony charge, possible jail time after violent altercation

We have added more serious charges against Mr. Sanchez

At this point in time, we have filed a felony charge, a level five felony of battery involving serious bodily injury, which contains a penalty of one to six years

That statement from Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears means former New York Jets quarterback turned NFL yst Mark Sanchez could face jail time after an altercation early Saturday morning in Indianapolis

The 38-year-old Sanchez, who was arrested and originally charged with three misdemeanors

was hospitalized in critical condition after being stabbed, court documents said. The 69-year-old victim was also hospitalized with serious injuries

Sanchez is accused of attacking the truck driver in an alley after arguing with the man

about where he parked his truck in a hotel loading dock. The man, fearing for his life, reportedly stabbed Sanchez multiple times to stop the attack

Mears said the confrontation didn't have to happen. We were literally talking about people fighting over a parking space

or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injuries

Where this incident took place was an area of the city which was very well covered by surveillance footage According to the original police affidavit the truck driver sprayed Sanchez in the face with pepper spray and when that didn stop him thought this guy is trying to kill me

The surveillance footage helped law enforcement piece together what happened. They're still investigating the incident and said Sanchez could face additional charges

Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey thanked witnesses for coming forward and also had a warning for others

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 at our disposal to hold you accountable

The 6'2", 230-pound Sanchez was a first-round draft pick for the New York Jets in 2009

He retired from the NFL after eight seasons. He was in Indianapolis to call Sunday's game

between the Colts and Las Vegas Raiders for Fox Sports. Fox has made no announcements about

Sanchez beyond an initial statement Saturday afternoon thanking medical personnel and asking

for prayers for Sanchez. Sanchez was released on a $300 bond for the initial misdemeanor charges

His attorneys filed a motion to waive a first hearing and they've entered a not guilty plea

on Sanchez's behalf. The former quarterback's first appearance in court is scheduled for November 4th

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Chris Francis