TMZ obtains video showing Mark Sanchez stumbling around downtown Indy before alley fight

INDIANAPOLIS — Surveillance footage obtained by TMZ shows former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez stumbling and wandering around Indianapolis streets in the minutes leading up to the alley fight that left Sanchez and a 69-year-old truck driver seriously injured.

According to timestamps on surveillance footage obtained by TMZ, Sanchez spent roughly 20 minutes roaming around downtown Indianapolis just before the 12:30 a.m. violent encounter in the alley between the Westin Hotel and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.

TMZ states that Sanchez appears to “drunkenly wander” up and down the sidewalk and down the alley where Perry Tole’s truck can be seen driving past the camera. Sanchez can be seen running in the direction of Tole’s truck, which is allegedly parked out of view of the footage obtained by TMZ.

Previous reports detail how Tole was driving a cooking oil recycling collection truck on a midnight route when he pulled up to the loading dock in the alley. Sanchez allegedly confronted Tole about blocking the alley, insisting Tole move his truck.

An argument ensued, witnessed by a man identified by his initials B.B. in which it appeared Sanchez and Tole were both video recording each other with their cell phones. Sanchez attempted to enter Tole’s truck cab and then pursued the 69-year-old man, who ended up on his back, wedged in by a dumpster and wooden pallets and fighting back, first with pepper spray and then a knife.

Tole admitted he plunged the knife “two or three times” into Sanchez’s chest, fearing for his life, after first trying to pepper spray Sanchez. Sanchez can be seen on video stumbling away from the scene later, bloodied and holding his side. He ended up staggering to Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery, where bartender Scott Bennett tried to staunch his bleeding with bar towels.

Both Tole and Sanchez were seriously injured in the alley fight. Footage obtained by TMZ does not show the confrontation between Tole and Sanchez, but a bloodied Sanchez can be seen running down the alley.

Sanchez was taken to surgery for stab wounds to his chest. Tole suffered a deep laceration through his cheek and hit his tongue.

Tole has since filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and FOX Sports. Sanchez had been in Indianapolis to call the Colts-Radiers game for FOX Sports. The lawsuit claims, “Fox Corporation knew or should have known about Sanchez’s unfitness as an employee, propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct.”

In the aftermath of the highly publicized alley fight, many — including Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith — were quick to tweet out statements casting blame on a “lawless” Indianapolis as the reason Mark Sanchez was injured.

Once details emerged citing Sanchez as the aggressor, the governor and lieutenant governor’s tweets were quickly deleted.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has since charged Sanchez with battery causing serious injury, a Level 5 felony, along with misdemeanor criminal counts of public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle.

“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 and commit violence, we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold you accountable,” said IMPD Chief Chris Bailey on the incident.