Nick Bollea released from jail

[Video by EAMONN KNEESHAW]

CLEARWATER -- Nick Bollea walked out of the Pinellas County Jail at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday, 166 days after pleading no contest to a charge of reckless driving.

The 18-year-old Bollea was unshaven and wearing a blue L.A. Dodgers hat slightly askew. He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark jeans and white sneakers.

One of his attorneys put her arm around him and steered him past a pack of reporters and cameramen shouting questions.

Bollea made no comment.

About 50 yards from the jail, Bollea approached a black sports utility vehicle waiting for him in the parking lot.

His older sister, Brooke, burst out of the vehicle and threw her arms around him in tears.

Nick Bollea smiled as his sister pulled him into the SUV, followed by his lawyer.

By 12:34 a.m. they were off.

There was no sign of Terry Bollea, a.k.a. Hulk Hogan, or Linda Bollea, Nick's mother.

Gary Smith, a publicist for Linda Bollea, said that Nick would spend the night at his mom's house. A small gathering with friends was planned. Pizza was on the menu.

Nick is supposed to see his father today, the publicist said.

Early this morning, Linda Bollea released a statement asking for the media and the public to respect her family's privacy.

Nick Bollea went into jail directly from his court appearance. He traded in a suit and tie for the jail garb back in May. This morning, he left with a more casual ensemble.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Marianne Pasha explained that Nick's family brought in the clothing for him. The family also removed Nick's books and personal effects ahead of time.

Before being released, the jail's most famous inmate was subjected to a facial recognition scan along with other identity checks to make sure he was the right person, Pasha said.

Bollea was imprisoned for five months for his involvement in a crash on Aug. 26, 2007, in which he smashed his yellow Toyota Supra into a tree on Court Street in Clearwater, severely injuring his friend and passenger John Graziano.

Graziano will require extensive, lifelong care.

Even with his release, Bollea's legal problems are not over. He must abide by the conditions of his probation, which prevent him from driving for three years and require him to perform community service, among other things.

He is also the subject of a lawsuit on behalf of Graziano.

--Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer

-- Photo by Douglas R. Clifford | Times

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