Mark Sanchez's family break silence on ex-NFL star's arrest after bloody brawl with truck driver

The family of Mark Sanchez has spoken out for the first time since the ex-NFL star was stabbed and then arrested over an incident that has rocked the sports world. Sanchez was hospitalized following a violent alleyway altercation with a truck driver in Indianapolis in the early hours of Saturday morning. But the Fox Sports analyst is now facing six years in prison after being hit with felony charges. Sanchez has yet to give his side of the story - at least publicly - but on Monday evening his brother revealed that the former quarterback is still 'under medical care.' Nick Sanchez also opened up on the impact the incident has had on their family. 'This has been a deeply distressing time for everyone involved. Mark and our family are incredibly grateful for the concern, love, and support we’ve received over the past few days,' he told TMZ. 'Mark remains under medical care for the serious injuries he sustained and is focused on his recovery as the legal process continues. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the first responders and medical staff.' The 38-year-old was detained Sunday - while still in the hospital - on allegations of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication. But prosecutors have since upgraded the charges to a Level 5 felony battery of causing serious injury. Meanwhile, the alleged victim - identified as Perry Tole - has reportedly filed a lawsuit. In shocking photos from the scene, Sanchez, 38, is shown lying shirtless and wounded on a gurney as he receives medical attention. The former quarterback was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed in the chest. But Sanchez is accused of instigating the altercation, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by the Daily Mail. In a separate video, the alleged victim, Tole, can be seen being rolled out of the alleyway towards an ambulance. Sanchez is married to American actress Perry Mattfeld. The couple have two children together after Perry gave birth to twins in March. Sanchez also has an eight-year-old son, Daniel, from a previous relationship. In his lawsuit on Monday, Tole sued Sanchez for assault/battery as well as the ex-quarterback's employer, Fox, for negligent hiring, retention and supervision. He is asking for compensatory and punitive damages. Tole claims in his filing that he has suffered severe permanent disfigurement, loss of function, other physical injuries, emotional distress and other damages as a result of the altercation. He also claims Sanchez appeared drunk and initiated the altercation. According to the driver, Fox 'knew or should have known' about Sanchez's 'unfitness as an employee, propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct.' Horrifying photos, released on Sunday, showed the extent of the grease truck driver's gruesome injuries. He could be seen in a hospital bed, covered in blood with a gash on his face and a brace around his neck. Sanchez played 10 seasons in the NFL, including four with the Jets after they took him fifth overall pick in 2009. He later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the then-Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears.