Hulk Hogan's son charged in serious wreck

Nick Bollea is booked at the Pinellas County Jail. [Joseph Garnett Jr. | Times]

Find complete coverage of the case: Times stories, photos and tampabay.com video

CLEARWATER -- Hulk Hogan's teenage son was arrested today on reckless driving charges from a car crash in August that left a close friend comatose.

Police say Nick Bollea, 17, was racing just before the accident and had been drinking before he got behind the wheel.

But Bollea's attorney said his client was not speeding Aug. 26, the road was wet and that his injured passenger, John Graziano, was not wearing a seat belt.

"Thankfully, Nick was wearing his,'' said attorney Morris "Sandy" Weinberg Jr. "Because of what happened to John, the entire Bollea family will make it a priority to increase public awareness of the importance of always wearing your seat belt.''

Bollea turned himself in to Clearwater police this morning and arrived at the Pinellas County Jail handcuffed and accompanied by two officers. He was released after posting $10,000 bail and was picked up by his parents.

Neither Bollea, who a witness said had been drinking the afternoon of the accident, nor his parents spoke to reporters outside the jail.

"I believe that what you are going to see was that this was an accident," said Weinberg.

Bollea was at the wheel of a speeding yellow 1998 Toyota Supra that went out of control and slammed, rear-bumper first, into a palm tree in the median on Court Street, officials say. The wreck critically injured Graziano, 22, an Iraq War veteran. The Supra, which was owned by Bollea's father, a professional wrestler, was totaled.

Graziano's skull was broken and he has been comatose at Bayfront Medical Center since the crash, according to medical professionals who examined him and submitted reports on his condition to court. He likely will need lifelong nursing home care and at best will only be able to open and close his eyes periodically, they say.

Police said today that Bollea's car was going faster than 60 mph at the time of the crash. The speed limit on that stretch of road is 40 mph.

Bollea is charged with reckless driving with serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Weinberg and co-counsel Kevin Hayslett issued a statement in which they said the Bollea family is focused on Graziano's recovery and that he would their client would "answer these charges in the appropriate arena -- a court of law.'' But he offered some hints to his defense.

"There has been much speculation as to the speed and the wet road conditions surrounding this accident. Although all the evidence has not been evaluated, preliminary reports from the experts indicate this was not, in fact, a high-speed accident.

"Because Nick is still a juvenile and has no prior criminal record, we are disappointed that we are being charged as an adult offender. "However, we are confident that the evidence will demonstrate that this was an accident.''

Authorities also cited Bollea (left) with using a motor vehicle in commission of a felony, being a driver under 21 operating a vehicle with a breath-alcohol level of .02 percent or higher and having illegal window tinting.

A blood-draw done about two hours after the crash showed that Bollea's "ethanol serum level" was 0.055 percent, according to a 10-page sworn statement from Clearwater police investigator Todd Turpack. The test is a measurement of alcohol in the bloodstream, but not the equivalent of the blood-alcohol level used in Florida law to determine whether a driver is presumed to be impaired.

Two friends who spent the afternoon before the crash with Bollea told police they went out on a boat owned by Bollea's father, Terry Bollea. The group first went to Shepard's Tiki Bar on Clearwater Beach but did not stop because of the crowd, Turpack wrote. After spending some time on the boat, they went to Three Rooker Island, then returned to Shepard's.

Barrett Lawrence, a friend of Bollea's, told police he saw Bollea drinking on the boat, but he couldn't say what Bollea was drinking.

The group returned to Bollea's home, where they decided they were going to dinner at Arigato's Steak House. Bollea and Graziano got into the Supra, and two other friends, Lawrence and Daniel A. Jacobs, got into a silver Dodge Viper, with Jacobs at the wheel, police said.

Bollea and Jacobs often "speed around," according to Lawrence's statement to police, and others said that's exactly what they proceeded to do.

Eight witnesses told police they saw the Dodge and Viper racing through downtown Clearwater and revving their engines in the moments before the accident, according to Turpack's statement.

While stopped at a red light a half a dozen blocks west of the crash site, Denise Cirella told police that Bollea's Supra was on her right and the Viper was on her left. Looking at Bollea, she saw him grimace at the men in the Viper, and when the light turned green, both cars "tore off" at a high rate of speed, she said.

Several blocks away, Rabih Cheaib saw the cars speed by Rita's Italian Ice, where he was waiting at the drive-through. Cheaib told police he could hear "turbos whistling" from the Supra as both cars sped by and saw the Supra about a half to a full car length in front of the Viper. He estimated their speed at more than 60 mph and said both were "accelerating hard," according to police.

Witness Despina Sibley told police the two cars appeared to be playing "cat and mouse."

"She indicated after a few moments, both vehicles began to accelerate at a high rate of speed, and the silver car passed the yellow car very rapidly," Turpack wrote.

Then the back of Supra began to fishtail, with smoke coming from the car as it lost control, Sibley told police. She said it was possible that the right front tire of the car struck the right curb, at which time the Supra spun, jumped the median and slammed into the palm tree.

Officials issued a summons to appear in court for the driver of the Viper, Jacobs, 22, of Dunedin. He faces a charge of reckless driving.

During the investigation, Jacobs first told police was driving 55 to 60 mph. After police interviewed witnesses who said his speed was much higher, Jacobs said he was going "not more than 70, at max," according to police. Jacobs also told police that he drank two Michelob Light beers on Terry Bollea's boat and a 32-ounce rum runner at Shepard's.

After the wreck, Jacobs said he tried to call Terry Bollea, but could not get through, so he drove to Bollea's home to tell him, police said.

Police said that although Jacobs and Bollea were racing before the crash, Jacobs was not a direct cause of the wreck.

Bollea told medical personnel that he crashed because, "I was driving the car and lost control due to a wet rainy road and hit a tree."

Graziano, a Dunedin High School graduate and U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, had "minimal brain wave activity" after being flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, was put on a ventilator and could not move his extremities.

- Tamara El-Khoury, Times staff writer

 

Photo by Jim Damaske | Times

Photos 

View photos of Bollea, Graziano and family members

Video

'This was an accident,' lawyer says

The Aug. 26 crash totaled Hulk Hogan's yellow 1998 Toyota Supra. [Brendan Watson | Times]

Comments

[Derek]

I had a feeling there was Alcohol involved and being under 21, they're gonna throw the book at him pretty hard even if its only .02

[Billy Bo]

Hope the Hulkster won't have to get a big mortgage to cover the civil penalties!

[Amanda]

Wow. How sad for both parties. And now it looks like Graziano will hardly ever recover. If I knew I would come out a vegetable the rest of my life I would want to choose death. That poor kid will spend the rest of his life in a nursing home. All for what? Trying to look cool racing an expensive car on the street? They say you learn from doing stupid stuff but this is one that Nick will not only have to learn from, but live with. He will have to live the rest of his life knowing what he did to his friend. Please people, stop street racing and don't drink and drive. It's not worth ruining a life to look cool.

[Heather]

My nephew Tommy Rodriguez was hit by a 17 year boy on October 18, 2004 as he was pulling out of the Becon Groves sub-division on Belcher Rd. in Palm Harbor. The boy was driving at the speed of 95mph. in a 45mph zone. The seventeen year old boy injured in foot. Our Tommy suffered serve brain damage and lived in a Nursing Home for 2 1/2 years before my sister had to make the hardest choice of her life and finally let him rest in peace on 07/11/2007.
It was too featured on the St. Pete Times.
I know exactly how the Graziano Family is feeling and my prays and thoughts have been with them everyday since the accident.
It sickens me right now that Nick is being charged for this because unlike the boy who hit our Tommy he got off with a speeding fine and lost his driving license for one year but within six months he could start driving to and from school and work.
I know Nick had a bad driving record and the kid who hit Our Tommy didn't have any previous tickets but in my opinion and the way I see it is driving 40mph over the speed limit and causing serve damage to another human being is very wreck less.
I suppose because Nick is famous it's more of big deal!
Again to the Graziano’s Family my Prays and Thoughts are with you.

Tommy's Aunt

[Susan Hayden]

I'm not surprised about the charges and I know Nick was wrong but, every teenager thinks something like this will not happen to them. I'm sure Nick is no different than your teenager or my teenager. They don't think about consequences of their actions and he will have to live with this for the rest of his life. Regardless of what everyone thinks about Nick, I don't know him personally, but I do know his father personally and I know Terry is a kind, level headed and compassionte person who loves his kids and raised them the right way. Yea, he might have over indulged somewhat, but if we were in his position, we would do the same. I don't like reading negative comments about Terry's character because obviously, the people that talk negative about him do not know him.

[The Iron Sheik]

I hope that as a condition of his probation his father the Hulkster will be required to give me my well deserved WWF Championship belt from 1984. No one escapes the Camel Clutch... NO ONE!

[Bill]

Throw the book at that kid, no matter the age or the celebrity. 17 is old enough to know right from wrong. He was racing, drunk and driving recklessly. Now, thanks to Nick, his friend will never have a life again. Maybe instead of preaching to the wrestling fans, all those years, you should have been keeping an eye on your kids, Hulkster!!!

[MELISSA]

Bottom line this was an accident a very bad one!Nick did not go out with the intent of hurting his friend.It's sad it turned out this way! I do agree that both boys are responsible for what happened. Nick did wrong by speeding and having what looks like one drink Graziano is guilty for getting in the car with somone he knew was drinking ( did he buy Nick the alochol?) Nick is not old enough to buy alocohol... Graziano i'm sure was having a great time in the car while Nick was racing other cars otherwise if not it was his responsibility to ask Nick to stop and to wear a seat belt. Sad that two young men's lifes are now messed up because of what they thought was fun at the time. I feel bad for both families!

[susie]

iron shiek - what???? noone knows and noone cares!!! that was over 20 years ago. let it go and get a life!!!!!

This is a sad situation but it sickens me even more that thats all he is being charged with. I think the laws is screwed up and very backwards. That kid that pretty much killed Tommy should have gotten some jail time. The law does not make the penalties strict enough for someone to think twice before they make a stupid decision like speed racing. When you make the decision to go 95 mph in a 45 mph zone then that is no worse than when you make the decision to pull out a gun and shoot someone. Because in both scenarios you know ahead of time that something bad can happen.

[MELISSA]

BILL ... Are you a brow beater or what!! Nick was not drunk .02 is not even over the limit.. take some cough medicine for a cold and you could prob blow that low BAL! Get a grip buddy!

[ds]

Give me a break. The attorney states this was not a high speed accident. You're right. It wasn't an accident. It was an act of stupidity by an arrogant spoiled brat who ought to answer to the LAW like the rest of us would. He clearly has shown he has no regard for the laws or anything else. After all, Daddy will get him out of it. 17 is old enough to know better. And don't try to deflect the blame by noting the lack of seat belt. Was that a contributor? Probably. But first and foremost, if Mr. Showoff wasn't fulfilling his 'need for speed', this likely wouldn't have happened. Glad I don't have any 'dear friends' like him...

[Disgusted!]

Melissa,

Why was he drinking he is only 17, if this was my kid and I found out he was drinking at the age of 17, I would "Raise Hell"! he's got a lot of nerve ..,lining up a Nascar deal or whatever kinda deal it is ...knowing what he did to his friend and his parents! It's too bad he doesn't have a conscious. They need to punish him severely because he apparently doesn't have a remorceful bone in his body!!

[MELISSA]

Disgusted,

Well, I would have to assume that someone bought the alochol for him since he is not old enough to drink! But then again maybe you can tell us since you know that he has no remorse and all. Humm you must read minds and feelings. Better yet maybe Nick told you this himself... maybe he can tell you where he got the alochol. Then maybe the person that supplied the alochol should also get charged.

[Christina]

First of all Nick is NOT a celebrity his father is. And I hope the court throws the book at him at his ignorant butt as he continues to show he has not learned from this nor does he care and infact continues bragging and going to his "drift races" and events. He has ruined John's life for the remander of John's life he will be in nursing homes. My prayers go to John's family. Nick you should serve the maximum sentence and I hoppe you rot in jail for the rest of your miserable spoiled brat life.

[Pamela]

My prayers go out to both Families. It is a tragic and devasting situation. We, as parents, teach our children to take responsibility for their actions, however, the bottom line is we can't control our childrens every move, as someone made a comment about where the parents were. (Terry) It is quite apparent that Terry and Linda are caring and loving parents & try to raise their children the best they can, as we all do. BOTTOM LINE: We can't control our children. (Teenagers & adult children)

I think Nick (as most teenagers) felt nothing this tragic would ever happen to him or his friend. Yes, the Family will forever be reminded DAILY of this horrific accident & how their son will most likely remain in the medical state he is. However, Terry, Linda, NICK, Brook and their extended Family, will forever live this bad dream, as well.

Teenagers need to take notice & LEARN from this and wake up to reality as no one is "protected" from a Life Changing Experience. Unfortnately.... they will learn a LIFE LESSON at the cost of a wonderful young man, whose life is forever changed (and his Family)

May GOD bless all the Families~
Pamela

[Disgusted!]

melissa,

Thats not the point ...You can put liquor in front of anyone ...they don't have to drink it ...unless of course he had a gun to his head! (Not likely). Inking a huge racing deal Isn't the actions of someone who's "Just beating himself up over this"! Wakeup Blind girl!!

[Matt]

So Bill, if 17 years olds know right from wrong, which they do, then let's lower the drinking age to 17, allow them to own a gun at 17, take them in the service at 17, allow them to marry at 17, etc. You get my drift? We need to decide they are either adults or not adults at a certain age and stick to it. Our standards vary depending on what we want to accomplish!!! Based on your argument John knew well enough to get in the car with Nick and to NOT put his seat belt on; why not kick him while he's down too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hold on just a minute]

was it a breath test or blood test for that finding. Swilling and swishing you mouth out with mouthwash will give you a finding of alcohol.

[Zwiepak]

"Say your prayers and eat your vitamins!" I guess can now be ammended to, "Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and slow down brutha!"

This is so sad, however, there's nothing atypical about this. Same story just different names. Kids and fast cars aren't generally a good mix. This is the price we pay for having freedoms as such, or we could all be driving around in speed governed vehicles that can't go beyond the speed limit. I'm sure he'll get off eventually, but IMO, knowing that you essentially killed your friend out of your own idiocy is a greater sentence than any judge can impose.

[Jonna]

What else is new....emotionalize the who issue! wah wah wah. The prosecution should hammer this fool.

[Susan Hayden]

Disgusted,

Are you kidding me, how many 17 year olds do you know that don't drink a beer or 2 at least. If you have a teenager and think him or her doesn't drink alcohol at some point, obviously, you're not in touch. You say you would "raise hell", well you might do that, but teenagers are going to do things like that whether you raise hell or not, they'll just do it behind your back unless you think your kid is different than every other kid on the planet. And to say Nick has no remorse or conscience, how could you know that?

[Disgusted!]

Susan,

This may come as a shock to you!! but some parents do know what their kids are doing ...I know my kids don't drink! Say whatever you want to clear your own conscious ...I'm sorry that your kids are doing things behind your back ...But beleive it or not some kids actually do "Get" what their parents are telling them and actually do listen and act responsibly, I'm sorry yours are Thugs!!

[MELISSA]

disgusted,

Well you know what you can also make that decision to get in the car with someone who has had a drink and is speeding. Oh and you can also chose not to put your seatbelt on! We all make decisions everyday don't we! I am also sure no one put a gun to the other young mans head to hop in that car and participate in the activities that night. Last time I checked I was awake Oh and I'm not blind... but thanks

[susan]

At 17 you certainly know that street racing is against the law. As for bringing up the fact that John was not wearing a seatbelt sounds like a low blow from the attorney (wow surprising). He was street racing, had some type of alcohol in his system and caused a serious crash. He should be punished just as anyone else would be punished, not getting off because of who his father is. I hope justice prevails.

My prayers go out to John and Nick's families.

[hoshi]

I don't know either party in this story but I do feel compassion for both sides and that is not how I felt when it happened. What a tragedy for both families. God rest our souls as we are out of contol with our need for speed and fancy cars. Please protect our children from senseless acts that end up like this. Neither of my children drove until they were 19 which was their decision not mine but now I am so glad because they were a little more mature at 19 than at 17. I don't believe Nick should have been allowed at the tender age of 17 to drift race. I don't blame Terry for that as much as I blame the sponsors and the fans who put the prestige on these races. Slow down folks for it might be your own life you pay the price with - and if you think that is no big deal, think about the people you will leave behind.

[Gerri]

GIVE ME A BREAK. THIS SHOULD HAVE NOT WAITED SO LONG.
Just because he is a member of a celebrity family does not mean he should get a slap on the hand.Nick should have been charged from day one. How can he live day to day knowing that he put his friend in the vegetation state that he in in. I say lock him up with vehicle manslaugher. The HULK should not put any bail money on his son. He could do this to his own family and other people if he is released.

[J C H]

I hope the judge makes an example out of this PUNK puke kid ! Give him some time in the pen and make sure he never again gets behind the wheel of car.

Nick has shown no remorse, attending car shows and on the party circuit, while is friend lays in a hospital bed.

[MELISSA]

DISGUSTED,

GO TAKE YOUR MOTHERING SKILLS ELSEWHERE! NO ONE CARES WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE DOING OR NOT DOING! REALLY WE DON'T!!

Typical statement from a PI Lawyer - It is tragic that John didn't wear a seat belt, but thank God Nick wore one. Setting up the defense to the civil suit, no seat belt=no liability for Nick. They should be ashamed of themselves.

[Susan Hayden]

Yea, you keep thinking that!

[Disgusted!]

Hey Susan Hayden & Melissa,

Strike a nerve, did I??? Haaaaa,aaaaa!!! The truth shuts 'em down everytime, I love it!!!

[Nat]

A 17 yr old has no business getting into a high performance car impaired, dont care if its cough med. or mouth wash (doubt that!)-they dont have the experience or the reflexes to anticiapte the inevitable...someone was bound to get hurt-hey mom and dad, you wanted to treat him as an adult, so should our justice system!

[Ryan]

Nick the wanna be racer should just come out and said,

"Its just one of them racing deals"

[Susan Hayden]

Disgusted,

You're an idiot with his head in the sand. I hope your parenting skills are better than your spelling.

[MELISSA]

Tony,

WOW!! What class and tact you have!!

[l. Ranger]

Under the circumstances the charges brought against Nick B. are just, reasonable, and deserved. His continued denial of the recklessness of his actions and complete disregard for the laws concerning the safe operation of dangerous high powererd vehicles justifies his being charged as an adult.
If Nick and his family really care about his friend, Nick should man up and plea "no contest" and face the legal consequences of his persistent negligent bad driving and continue to financially support his friends recovery process.

[Disgusted!]

Susan Hayden,

You have "great" spelling ..but your parenting skills ... well ...Isn't it obvious!!!

Have a nice day...

[MELISSA]

DISCUSTED,

CAN'T SAY YOU STRIKED ANY NERVE OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT YOU ARE AN IDIOT! AND YOU SURE HAVE SOME NERVE TO SAY HOW WE FEEL. READING MINDS AGAIN ARE WE?

[David]

While there was absolutely no "intent" to injure anyone, this kind of "free for all" driving on public streets is illegal and will almost always end up hurting someone. If Grazianos family took him off life support and he died, then Nick would be liable to face Manslaughter charges, with Alcohol as a contributing factor. He should NOT have been drinking, he should NOT have been driving (especially in the manner in which he did) and Graziano SHOULD have been wearing a seatbelt, even if they were out for a Sunday stroll doing 15 MPH in a deserted area. The bottom line is, laws were broken and a very serious injury resulted. Even if no injury resulted, the laws were still broken and....when you break the law, you pay, one way or the other. Both families have my sympathies and my prayers are with the Grazianos.

[Susan Hayden]

Disgusted,

I didn't want to tell you this, but I thought I saw your kid coming out of the bar on the corner by your house. Wake up.

[tunamanz]

How come the Hulkster is not get charged with suppling alcohol to a minor????? He was drinking on Hulkster's boat!

[David]

Susan, just because you are supposedly personally aquainted with Terry, does not mean that you can stand on the soap box and try to convince us that Nick was not wrong and was just an overindulged "teen being a teen". I know of no other "teen" who would do something so stupid as to drive almost double the speed limit in a residential neighborhood, especially after having illegally drinking, and I am so sure that he will NEVER tell who the person who gave him the alcohol is, so he should sit in jail like the rest of the scofflaws we have in our midst. Justice will not be served by letting him off the hook because of a "youthfull indiscretion"....so stop sticking up for Nicks family, and admit that Nick needs to face the consequences of his actions, whatever they be. He deserves no special consideration due to his fathers fame. I am very happy that the Bollea family continues to be supportive towards the Grazianos, and admire them for their sense of compassion, especially in the face of the severity of this accident.

[frank]

hey judicial system:
OHHH YEAHHH! SNAP INTO A SLIM JIM!!! wait, that's the other bald dude.
WHAT YA GONNA DO WHEN I THROW MY MONEY AT YOU!!! that's more like it.

[Lenore]

His BAL was .05 not .02

[rebekah]

.055 2 hours later? He should be charged with DUI too!!!!

[Lenore]

Rebekah,
I agree with you 100%.

[David]

.055 is pretty high for a kid, considering just 2.5 more points would have put him legally drunk as an adult. And two hours later, means the BAC was much higher when the accident occured. Seems to me to be drunk driving...his BAC should have been ZERO since he's under 21.

[Cassie]

GIVE ME A BREAK. THIS SHOULD HAVE NOT WAITED SO LONG.
Just because he is a member of a celebrity family does not mean he should get a slap on the hand.Nick should have been charged from day one. How can he live day to day knowing that he put his friend in the vegetation state that he in in. I say lock him up with vehicle manslaugher.

I have to agree, anyone else would have been in jail already! I am tired of these celebrities given a specail type of justice, ie. 2 weeks in jail or 25 min like Nicole Richie, they can act that doesn't mean they are above the law but then again they have money and I bet anything money makes the charges go away, and nick will not have to be held responsible for what was a terrible thing but not an accident, when you speed and drink it isn't an accident and he must be held responsible!

[Hogan Doesnt Know Best]

Just by watching the TV show you can see that Nick has been spoiled his entire life by Hulk and his family. I hope it opens his parents eyes and they start holding this boy accountable for his immaturity and the tragic results of his actions and his parents lack of parenting him. Thye seem to have dropped the ball after Brooke.

[BT]

Everyone on this message board did something stupid when they were Nick's age. Fortunately you either got away with it or it didn't affect anyone like Nick's ACCIDENT did. Kids at that age think they are invincible, I know I did, and I am positive all of you did as well. Don't persecute the kid for making a 17 year old's decision. It is horrible that his friend is in the state he is in, but I am sure that is not the first time they were speeding down the road together and up until the accident occured, I would go as far as saying Graziano was encouraging him to speed and enjoying himself, he is probably guilty of making some bad decisions too. Nick will get his punishment in the court of law. Everyone ragging on him doesn't help or change anything, at the end of the day he is still just a 17 year old boy.

[MELISSA]

You know of "no other kid that would do something like this" Such as going over the speed limit and racing...as you stated David. We must be living in a bubble if you don't "think" other kids do this. You just don't hear about it because the parents are not famous. Or better yet they just don't get caught. Ever think about that!

[Dylan]

Shouldnt have been drinking Brother!!

[Disgusted!]

See ....This is the problem, we coddle these 17 year olds too much, I'm sick and tired of people like BT always saying "Oh yeah ...we made stupid mistakes too" ... well ya know what? No we didn't ...I didn't, my stupid mistake was skipping school OK!! Stop making excuses for this kind of behavior!! Just shut up will ya!!! You're a loser....a big loser!! I hope someone maims your family soon!!

[MELISSA]

AMEN BT!! FINALLY SOMEONE WITH A BRIAN ON HERE... AND SOME SENSE!

[Fu]

Well...all I can say is It`s about time!

[Jeff]

Why can we not just leave his personal life personal. I hate to see him having his name thrown around like its something none of us did when we were 17!

[Jason A.]

How come Nick's mug shot isn't up on the pinellas county jail's website??

[MELISSA]

Disgusted,

Go back in your self righteous bubble and WAKE UP! SHHHHHH did you hear something... put a cork in it! Again we don't care what your kids do or did or what you did when you were in school how many times you skipped school etc... We are ALL entiled to our own opinion! Why don't you quite making judgement calls on everyone because the opinion may not be the same as yours!THANK GOD FOR THAT.

[Disgusted!]

Melissa,

Stop trying to make make it look like everyone came from a "Jerry Springer" type home...Like you did, you stupid Hick!!! Shut up and go back to your Doublewide!! ya stupid idiot!!

I think this is being handled, legally, exactly as it should be. I don't think the celebrity is making any diference, except in the media. The charge is appropriate. I'm pleased to see the other driver is also being charged with reckless driving.
As far as my sympathies are concerned, I feel sorry for everyone involved. However, that does not translate into them not taking responsibility and punishment. Trying not to sound cold, I don't feel the same about someone that knowingly puts themselves in danger, as the innocent on the street. John got in the car knowing that this type of driving could happen. All reports indicate this was a regular thing for all of them. Any one of them could have ended up being the victim. Nick's lucky there weren't any pedestrians or other cars involved.
All that being said, I have 3 children that drive. I hope and pray that they are safe, and also make good decisions. I would have taken my 17yr old's license away after that 1st ticket for over 100! But, he could have had this tragedy before I had the chance. Things like this can happen to any family.

[BT]

Think really hard Disgusted. You did something stupid that if someone wasn't looking out for you, your life and other peoples lives could have changed drastically. And you better not have any speeding tickets on your record either. By the way, thanks for wishing someone maims my family too, that is really big of you.

[Brian]

Chances are the kid will have to spend the rest of his life thinking about what he has done but will not serve a single day in prsion where he belongs mind you. Meanwhile the family of the other boy will spend the rest of thier lives caring for him. Sure, the Bolleas have the resources to cover the medical costs, etc. But what does that really say about the accident? Should a 17 year old boy been allowed to drive a car with that kind of power? We all are in agreement that when we were young we all did stupid things, but I ask, where was his parents at this point? Oh yeah, they were playing the role of TV personalities and instead of being a guidence to Nick, they wanted to be his friend. It is the exact behavior of 90% of "parents" these days. None the less, I hope this story goes away because I am sure some profit will be made for the bollea family due to Terry's poor judgement as a father, Nicks poor judgement as a driver, and the victums poor judgement to not wear a seatbelt.

They and those who will pander to this case disgust me beyond words.

[Sam]

Dear Disgusted,

You're an idiot and so are your kids. Please leave Florida as soon as possible. Take Bill with you.

[MELISSA]

Disgusted,

Ahhh are you getting mad... i'm sorry! Obviously you skipped alot of school you don't seem very educated! Resorting to calling people names that you don't even know. I don't know too many people that are from Minnesota that are HICKS we have more class than that. You must be Fla grown and raised it's obvious by your lack of class and education!

[Disgusted!]

BT,

Yeah I hope someone maims your family ... because you, like a million others out here are always making excuses for these punks!! Lets see if you're sooo understanding when someone maims your mother,daughter,wife or anyone else that you love!! And I did think really hard ....the answer is emphatically "NO" ...thank god there are still some normal people like me left in the world...otherwise everyone would think like you morons!! Bleeding heart idiots!!

[Susan Hayden]

David:

I'm not sure where in any of my postings that I said Nick should not take responsibility and be held accountable. I'm just saying that he's not the only teenager in the world whose has not used good judgment even though he knows and has been taught better. If you really think no other teenagers do this sort of thing, go on any of the local high school football games on Friday night and you will change your point of view.

[Pam]

I hope justice will prevail. It never does when you are a high profile family and have money. That family is arrogant and they know they are untouchable. This is just formality, that spoiled brat will get off believe me. He should be tried as an adult and for attempted murder.

[Susie]

How do these people sleep at night ,knowning full well thier son was not only RACING thru public streets but now we find out ol Nicky was drinking prior to the crash. oh boy !!!
And the biggest shock of all is the NERVE of them to try and blame John for not wearing a seatbelt..NEWS FLASH. The driver is responisble for the passenger in his car, what he should of done was NOT RACE. and ask his passenger to either put his seatbelt on or get out of the car, which he did none of the above..Nick Hogan and the entire HOGAN family need be ashamed of themselfs. They all know Nick was racing.!!!!, yet still have the nerve to say have an open mind.TELL THAT TO JOHN'S Mother who will never be able to speak with her son AGAIN..Tell that to John when you go see him laying in that bed because of you Nick that is was his fault for not wearing a seatbelt. !!! sorry excuse for a friend.

[BT]

Wow everyone, I think we found the last perfect person in the world, right here in Florida. I hope you can sleep well tonight wishing such horrible things on people you don't even know...oh wait a perfect person wouldn't do that. Now I am stooping down to your level and that's the last you will hear from me. I am going to head out and make sure Disgusted doesn't come maim my family.

[DD]

Smartest comment on here:

"As far as my sympathies are concerned, I feel sorry for everyone involved. However, that does not translate into them not taking responsibility and punishment."

[DD]

Susie,
Do you really think John didn't know Nick might race? Sure Nick needs to pay for his crime, but any one of those guys could have been the one that's in the hospital today. They did it all the time. Now the 17yr old is soley responsible when the 22yr old didn't even bother to where his seatbelt? This is tragic, but they're all responsible.

[Speed Racer]

"I just came out of turn 3 a little side ways brushed the wall and things got bunched up and i got hit. Just one of them racing deals. Im sorry for all the guys, Toyota, WWE, Hulkamania, we had a good car today just tore it up." -Nick

[Susie]

For those of you who say Nick has to think about what he did for the rest of his life, her's a tid-bit for you. on his website he talks about still racing. how he pick a new sponser POLAROID..AND AT THE VERY END HE SAY OH YEA.. PRAY FOR JOHN..AFTER THOUGHT..That's how much he thinks about it.This Hogan guy thinks John just bump his head. and all is well. What a waste of space..I hope the POLICE department DOES IT JOB.!and the Florida COURTS do something with this guy..LOCK HIM UP

[John]

Whether he was drinking or not, he was still speeding and if he was any kind of a young man with morales and scruples, he should accept his fate and get on with his life. His friend will never be able to live a normal life again because of his recklessness.

[K]

Melissa

alot is spelled a lot.....

just clarifying

[Rob]

He needs to do some time for this terrible accident that should have never happened.

They throw Paris Hilton in jail for driving under the influence and no accident and harmed no one, all on the "could have" theory now this kid better do some time for his drinking and driving and destroying a life and then after he does his time--order him and the family to care for the guy he injured the rest of his life. Hulk Hogan is foolish parent to his kids anyway. IMO

[Lenore]

DD,

I am sure that John knew full well Nick would be racing. However, that is not the point. Nick was driving the car. Nick is the one that would have been issued a ticket had they just been pulled over. The driver is the one held responsible of who he allows to ride in their car. If someone wants a ride in my car they know full well they need to buckle up.

[Peter]

The bottom line is it doesn't matter how much he had to drink. The fact that ANY alcohol was present in his system is all the county needs for him to be charged with DUI-Serious Bodily Injury or worse, should the passenger die, DUI-Manslaughter. Fairly or unfairly, .02 or .08 is irrelevant. If a person is even .01, for MADD's and the county's intents and purposes, it's alcohol-related. That's a fact that gets overlooked. He's in for the fight of his life. But, with his father's wealth, he'll be in a position to plead out to reduced charges and avoid jail.

[Ivan Putzky]

Yeah, you may have the power of all the cosmos. But what are you going to do, brother, when I wrap these 23-inch pythons around you? What are you going to do baby?! ...23-INCH PYTHONS BABY!

[Disgusted is an Idiot]

Well, everyone has their opinions, but no one knows what they would do in ANY situation unless they've been in one just like it with the same circumstances. All I know, is that being uncompassionate, judgemental, and crazy is NOT normal...It's crazy, which is the category that our little lunatic conservative heartless wierdo that wishes others' families to be maimed, "Disgusted" falls under. At least you don't have to worry about the bleeding hearts coming to kill your family. Psycho.

[JT]

He has not been charged with DUI, but instead Reckless Driving. If that had been an average citizen, you can bet your life that he/she would be facing a serious DUI charge. He'll get off though. It's all about the money, and Hulk Hogan's got plenty to burn.

[Upset Parent]

I am a parent of a 20 year old son, my son was coming home one night & a drunken lady ran out in front of his car. I am anxious to see how our justice system handles this situation! The lady my son hit was with (2) males and they became out of control so my son drove a few blocks down the road where he admitted to everything that happened. My son didn’t get to come home that night, I went to the area he was at and watched him cry because he may have taken a human life and then I watched him go to jail. My son was charged with a felony and is currently serving 5 years probation & paying a very hefty fine each month. His chances of financial loans for college or military for a career have been ruined because someone drunk and on drugs walked in front of his moving car and he HAS NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE with the law. I am not a wealthy lady I had to take all means to get my son out of jail and am still paying for it. My son did not have any alcohol or drugs on him and was blood tested twice that evening to prove so. He still at times cannot sleep and thinks about the person he injured. He is doing as the judge instructed him to each month and he works very hard to pay his fine. Why because Nick’s family has money he is out of jail within an hour? Why his bond was lower then my sons bond and my son wasn’t charged with the fault of the accident just leaving the scene? Why has he not been in jail already, when it took them less then an hour to charge my son for something that was an honest to God accident? This is how our state works folk’s money talks you got it or you don’t! The money is what it is all about not the lives of hurt people not who is at fault or not at fault IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. I bet while my son continues to struggle to pay a high fine each month and most of his young life on probation and the rest of his life with a felony hanging over his head, Nick will be out there racing down another street because his parents will buy him another fast car and the judge will be easy on him because of the money he comes from, I am really anxious to see how this turns out within our court system. Nick deserves the same treatment my kid got but already has received much better. God Bless John Graziano

I FAULT THE POLICE SYSTEM FOR LETTING HIM OFF EVERYTIME HE GOT A SPEEDIGN TICKET. THAT WAS A SIGN OF A PATTERN FOR DISASTER..

[Bob]

Pam,

I agree with you that "celebrity justice" will be what is meted out, but "attempted murder"?? I think you should brush up on some legal definitions. Nick hardly tried to murder anybody.

Upset Parent - If your son had had any trace of alcohol or drugs in his system, and I mean ANY, (.01, etc), he'd be in jail for DUI-Manslaughter. Nick Hogan is simply going to pay a fine. It's just the way it is.

It's crazy to even mention the the fact he didn't have a seatbelt on. They're trying to shift the blame. Look at the picture of the car! A seatbelt may/may not have made a difference.

Where's the MADD zealotry in all this?? They've been eerily silent.

[the more things change, the more they stay the same]

He knew they'd be racing and I'm sure was whoopin it up and enjoying it right until the time of the accident. He'd be in JDC if he weren't the son of a celeb. But if we're going down this path,and everyone wants blood, why not charge John with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.....so stop spending your time choosing which side to blame or not, but go mentor a kid (even your own) and let's help our youth learn to make better decisions.

[above the law]

hey, this is a celeberitys' kid . they probably apoligized to him as soon as they got him inside. he will probably have to stay in jail a little longer than paris hilton or lindsay lohan before they let him walk. and by the way susan hayden should be there to drive him home

[Melanie]

God Bless the Hogan family. They are the First Family of Clearwater and as such, deserve a free pass on this indiscretion.

[MELISSA]

A free pass??? Tell that to everyone else who actually had to pay the price for their crimes. Just because you have lived somewhere forever does not make one above the law. Or given a "free pass"!

[P]

Nick & his father are both culpable. Nick - 17 & drunk, racing & destroying a man's life. The father, supplying alcohol to a minor & allowing him to drive there after.

Well done to the police! Making sure all of their work is in order & correct. I hope they throw the book at both of them! Charge & punish both accordingly.

[Upset Prent]

Thank God the lady my son hit is alive and well. No where near the condition of John.

[T]

Melanie - really...first family of Clearwater? Not so much. They are too tacky for that. They are rich, they are not society people.

Regardless, no one gets "free pass" for such serious bodily injury.

[Disgusted!]

Melissa,

Earlier, you wanted him to pretty much have a free pass...Now look at your Hipocritical backpedaling!!! Just as I suspected....you didn't have a clue earlier ...and you still don't!!

[David]

MELISSA
No mam, I do not live in a bubble, and I am sure there are kids out there who do speed, etc. I said that *I* do not know of any who do. You want to try and mitigate Mr. Bolleas culpability because he is a Teenager and should be given the benefit of the doubt, as "teenagers" are prone to these antics. I'm sorry but I do not buy that one bit. In broad daylight, after drinking, the guy gets into his car, does not insist his passenger put his seatbelt on. These are all criminal and moving violations, and he should have been charged with driving under the influence. As I said before, ANY amount over 0.00 is under the influence. People who take perscribed meds and drive drive under the influence and believe it or not, can and do get prosecuted for it. Please do not try and knock my theory down with brow beating and grand standing, it doesnt change my mind one bit.

SUSAN:

Sorry, but as I told Melissa, I have never witnessed such acts, and thus I said what I did. Glad you agree that Nick needs to face the music, unfortunately the tune he is facing is a bit muted from what it should be. He should have been charged with DUI with serious bodily injury. Add to that charges of underage drinking, failure to control his vehicle, wreckless driving, failure to make sure that his passenger had a seatbelt on before he put the car in DRIVE, endangering the lives of others (by speeding down a residential street); speeding...I could continue but the DA has made its mind up to charge him with wreckless driving. Tell me the where the justice is in that. Yes I feel badly for all concerned..but why would I want him to get any lesser sentence than any other Joe Blow would get under like circumstances?

[MEL]

CAN YOU FEEL THE TENSION? NICK WILL GET OFF EASY. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY BUYS FREEDOM.

[Disgusted is an Idiot]

Hey Disgusted,

Check out my posting about you. It's up a little way.

[Alex]

"No prior record"?!? He certainly has a record of bad driving and poor decisions, which have been documented. He didn't steal a freight train, but his driving has been questioned numerous times.

Only time will tell if ruining his friend's life will have a permenent effect or if he will continue to be a menace on our roads. I do feel bad for him and all parties involved, but no one can say they didn't see this coming.