Nick Bollea wins a round, co-defendant gets probation

CLEARWATER -- Nick Bollea has won one round in a fight over the status of his driver's license, though his license remains suspended.

On Tuesday, a hearing officer with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles set aside an administrative suspension of Bollea's license. That suspension was based on a blood-alcohol test taken the night of Aug. 26, after Bollea's speeding Toyota Supra slammed into a tree, critically injuring his friend.

The test showed that Bollea, 17, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.05 percent or higher the night of the crash. Florida law allows for the suspension of licenses of drivers under 21 who have that blood-alcohol level.

In a one-page order, however, a state hearing officer "determined that there was not enough information to support the administrative suspension." The order did not elaborate on the decision.

Despite that order, Bollea's license remains suspended for two reasons, said Ann Nucatola, spokeswoman for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

First, she said, Bollea has an unpaid fine on an unrelated offense. Also, he is charged with an offense that, if he's convicted, could result in the revocation of his drivers license.

Bollea faces a charge of reckless driving with serious bodily injury in connection with the wreck. He has pleaded not guilty.

In another development, Daniel Jacobs, the second driver in events that led up to the wreck, pleaded no contest to reckless driving today and was sentenced to 90 days of probation. He was also fined $500 and told to do 25 hours of community service.

Jacobs, 22, was driving a silver Dodge Viper that witnesses say was racing a Bollea's yellow Supra before Bollea crashed into a tree on Court Street.

The crash critically injured John Graziano, 23.

Bollea is the son of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, who lives in Clearwater. The family was the subject of a VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best. Their celebrity status has brought national attention to Bollea's crash.

See previous coverage here.

- Tamara El-Khoury, Times staff writer

Comments

[Aaron]

It takes two to street race what is this he gets a better deal because he was a better driver and didnt hit the tree, would be wiling to bet he had been drink as well whats up with that probably didnt test him what a waste.

[DJ]

Driving in this crummy state has become a death sentence since most of the younger generation are way to aggressive behind the while and have no patience much less courtesy. Street racing is illegal but yet they do it, where are the police that are being paid to protect the streets?

It is way out of hand here and harsh sentences are the only answer. Send the racers on a professional race track and they can kill each other. No loss at that point.

[Goldie]

Am I missing something? Nick was driving drunk. He is 17 and is definitely not the legal drinking age. And they are stating that a state hearing officer "determined that there was not enough information to support the administrative suspension." He was drunk.Some one is critically injured. What more information is needed? Keep him off my streets.

[Rodger]

Please people get over it, Nick will only get probation also. mommy and daddy are rich enough to keep him from doing any kind of time. Its called being a spoiled BRAT and the judges and attorneys all have kids like this so they undersatnd why the baby boy wouldnt make it in jail.

[Is There No Justice?]

I'm with Goldie on this one -- what AM I missing? A 17 year-old clown boy was driving a car, wrecked that car, and then blew a .05 on the breathalyzer. The last time I checked, the LEGAL DRINKING AGE is 21, which would mean that no 17 year-old clown boys would blow a .05

Let's face it, the 17 year-old clown boy in question does not need a driver's license. What he needs is PUNISHMENT. The 17 year-old clown boy was responsible for putting a Marine into the hospital for life. Now it is time for the 17 year-old clown boy to accept the punishment he so rightly deserves.

Learning from your mistakes is how you grow as a person. It's unlikely that this waste of donateable organs is ever going to learn anything.

Ahh, typical FL justice. Have cash? Get a pass on suspensions and such even when the law clearly states you are in violation.

In the meantime, steal a $9.00 sandwich (robbery in itself), can't afford the marked up jail pill prices, and die.

Life in the FL justice *laughs* system.

[Jason]

The Hogan/Bollea clan: idiocracy personified. They seem rather proud of being a dysfunctional train wreck of a family. Shame with all that money they don't have the sense to see how they are really perceived.

[LOUISTHETERRIBLE]

How about the automotive companies who sell these rockets on wheels to kids. They might as well be allowed to carry lethal weapons. capitalism at its' best

[fact-checker]

here is what goldie and 'is there no justice' are missing: newspaper article reports are not evidence in evidentiary hearings. also, bollea was not given a breathalyzer. please check your facts before posting a commentary. that is all.