“This guy is trying to kill me,” says 69-year-old truck driver who stabbed the former NFL star in self-defense.

Former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is recovering in the hospital after a shocking late-night altercation in downtown Indianapolis that left him stabbed in the chest — and facing criminal charges.

According to police and court documents, the 38-year-old former NFL player and current Fox Sports analyst was acting erratically near Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery shortly after midnight on Saturday when he got into a confrontation with a 69-year-old grease truck driver.

Witnesses told investigators that Sanchez — shirt damp with sweat after doing “wind sprints” in the alley — began yelling at the elderly driver, claiming his truck was blocking the way. When the man tried to de-escalate, Sanchez allegedly charged at him, grabbed him, and body-slammed him against a wall near a hotel loading dock.

Moments later, the driver fought back.

“This guy is trying to kill me,” the man reportedly shouted as he stabbed Sanchez two or three times in the chest in what he described as self-defense.

Police say video surveillance corroborates the driver’s account, showing Sanchez approaching the man, following him, and finally tackling him to the ground. The driver told detectives he first tried using mace, but when Sanchez kept coming, he drew a knife.

Bleeding heavily, Sanchez stumbled into the bar next door, where officers found him minutes later. He was rushed to Methodist Hospital in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable.

Authorities later charged Sanchez with battery resulting in injury, public intoxication, and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle after reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses.

“What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence,” Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “We will follow the facts wherever they lead.”

According to the probable cause affidavit, Sanchez appeared intoxicated and confused when questioned at the hospital, telling detectives the only thing he remembered was “grabbing for a window.”

The truck driver suffered a cut to his cheek but was treated and released. Police have not filed charges against him, saying the evidence so far suggests self-defense.

Sanchez, a former first-round draft pick who led the Jets to two AFC Championship appearances before fading out of the league, was in Indianapolis to work as a broadcaster for Sunday’s Raiders-Colts game.

Fox Sports removed him from the broadcast lineup following the incident.

“One of our team members, Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident we’re still trying to wrap our heads around,” said host Charissa Thompson during pregame coverage. “Our thoughts are with Mark, his family, and everyone involved.”

Court documents describe the confrontation as fast, violent, and bewildering — a fall from grace for a former NFL star once celebrated in New York for his playoff runs.

Now, as police piece together what happened in that narrow alley, the 69-year-old driver’s frightened words still echo through the affidavit:

“He came at me like he wanted to kill me. I had no choice.”

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