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Other driver wasn't Hogan
The car racing with the wrestler's son may be Hulk Hogan's but he wasn't in it.
By TAMARA EL-KHOURY and JACOB H. FRIES
Published August 30, 2007
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[Jim Damaske | Times]
Crash victim John Graziano's sister, Christin Carson, left, hugs his girlfriend, Ashley Berry, at a prayer vigil Wednesday in Clearwater. | More photos
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CLEARWATER - Clearwater police interviewed the driver of a silver Dodge Viper at the scene of Nick Bollea's car crash Sunday, but it was not the teen's father, famed wrestler Hulk Hogan. Witnesses said they saw Bollea, 17, racing against the Viper in his yellow Toyota Supra moments before the crash, which left his passenger, 22-year-old John J. Graziano, in critical condition. Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor would not release the name of the Viper's driver but said it wasn't Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea. "Mr. Bollea was not in a car, was not driving the Viper and had no proximity to the wreck," Shelor said Wednesday. Police have not said whether Hogan owned the Viper involved in the incident. According to state records, Hogan owns a 1994 roadster, a 2003 roadster and a 2006 roadster coupe. There are only about 130 of the distinctive Vipers registered in Pinellas County. No charges have been filed. Rabih Cheaib, 20, who watched the high-speed race and was at the scene shortly after the crash, said he saw the Viper return to the area after the accident. He recognized the driver as Dunedin resident Danny Jacobs, whom he knew through friends. However, Cheaib didn't know if Jacobs was driving the Viper at the time of the crash. Cheaib said he watched police interview Jacobs. "He was upset," Cheaib said. "His head was down most of the time." Jacobs did not return messages left on his cell phone. His father, reached at his work, declined to comment. Meanwhile, Graziano, a U.S. Marine home from Iraq, is in a medically-induced coma at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, friends say. They held a prayer vigil for him Wednesday night at Glen Oaks Park on Court Street, just blocks from the site of the accident. Ashley Berry, Graziano's longtime girlfriend, addressed the crowd through tears. "He doesn't deserve this," she said. "It was a freak accident. They were on their way to dinner." But Berry told the crowd that Graziano was slowly getting better. "He's coming out little by little," she said. "It's going to take time." Also Wednesday, new information came to light about Bollea's whereabouts before the crash. Gerri Shephard, a manager at Shephard's, an entertainment resort on Clearwater Beach, said that Nick Bollea, his father and at least one friend were at the resort on Sunday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. She said they stayed on a boatoutside the tiki bar. Nick Bollea and the friend attempted to enter the tiki bar, Shephard said, but weren't allowed in because they didn't have proper I.D. The Bolleas have hired a local defense attorney who lists representing clients in driving under the influence cases as a speciality. J. Kevin Hayslett confirmed he was retained by the Bolleas. Hayslett said he could not comment on the investigation. A Bayfront Medical Center spokeswoman said Graziano was in critical condition Wednesday. Ashley Berry's mother, Linda Berry-Robinson, said she was confident Graziano would recover. She said Graziano joined the Marines because "he wanted to do something for his country and his family." But the 2003 Dunedin High School graduate also had a soft spot, she said. A few weeks after he arrived in Iraq, he asked Berry-Robinson to send candy, soccer balls and dolls to hand out to the Iraqi children. "You know he made it through Iraq, he made it through that hell, he surely can make it through this," Berry-Robinson said. Times researchers Caryn Baird and Angie Drobnic Holan contributed to this report. Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at tel-khoury@sptimes.com or 727 445-4181.
[Last modified August 30, 2007, 00:27:54]
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by ms s
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12/03/07 07:37 PM
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I HOPE JOHN RECOVERS,bUT IT,S STILL BOTH THEIR FAULTS
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by Bill
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11/11/07 06:07 PM
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I've known the Bollea family before the kids knew of celebrity. I feel they need to take a step back into "real" life and quit hiding behind thier money. If you break the law you should pay like anyone else period!
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by Trevor
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09/28/07 12:04 PM
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I have mixed fellings on this case. I believe that it is understood that they are friends and people should wish for their well being instead of jail time. i do find it unfair that i spin tires and lose my license for a year and he races and nothing.
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by Beth
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09/24/07 09:33 AM
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So who owns the VIPER that Nick was racing? How did Hulk get to the scene so quickly. Check his cell phone records. This whole thing is starting to stink of COVERUP! Where are Nick's tox reports? Maybe John will tell us the TRUTH when he wakes up!
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by shawna
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09/18/07 08:29 PM
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It's amazing how angry and personal some of these comments are regarding families you may not even know. Nick is a 17 yr old kid probably going thru hell, have we all forgot what is was like to be 17? HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN,CAST THE FIRST STONE! gbles
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by Jen
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09/11/07 02:29 AM
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TK, I do drive in Florida and deal with the idiot drivers. There is no excuse, and totally unacceptable to drive that fast that many times.
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by Brian
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09/10/07 09:10 PM
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everybody has thier opinions but that wont change a thing. the drivers and car types dont matter. it was an accident not a murder. what ever happens happens we should not interfere. i also pray john recovers and i hope they learned their lesson.
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by Pride
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09/08/07 07:02 AM
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Nick made a decision, as what he always does, is to disregard the law, break all the rules, and speed like crazy up and down the streets of near where he lives. He has even bragged about his ned for speed in magazines and all his speeding tickets.
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by Teresa
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09/05/07 10:43 PM
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I've watch Hulk Hogan for years. I still watch him but I agree not all the peices are there. I am confused. I heard that the friend died but all the updates say other wise. anyway prayers are with the families
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by sue
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09/04/07 10:34 PM
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He Who Is WithOut Sin Cast The First Stone!
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by Allen
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09/02/07 10:21 AM
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Above the law,Money talks,reckless endangerment of other people.Why do the Bolea family feel they are so much better than anyone else???What if a mother and baby were crossing the street at that time?Till death do we part? Just my opinion!
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by Skippy
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09/01/07 03:16 PM
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Hope to hear real soon how John is doing. I'm sure Nick is doing ok, he has 9 other cars to wreck! Still don't know why Nick is not in jail, on numerous charges. Florida is an embarassment to the rest of the country.
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by Mary ann
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09/01/07 10:10 AM
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Why is the name of the Viper driver a secret? Seems the police are hiding information that is normally in the paper. Are the Hogan's getting special consideration? How can the police say they were not racing? Two eye witnesses said they were. Fishy.
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by Bill
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09/01/07 05:33 AM
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THIS WAS NOT A "FREAK ACCIDENT" OR "MISTAKE", BUT THE RESULT OF POOR JUDGMENT AND LACK OF SELF AND VEHICLE CONTROL. JUST A CLEAR LACK OF COMMON SENSE AND DISRESPECT FOR THE LAW, SO PAY THE CONSEQUENCES HOGANS. GET NICK OFF THE ROAD AND BEHIND BARS!!
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by Frank
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09/01/07 12:24 AM
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If the state of Florida doesn't take away this kids license they've obviously have their head up their a**.
This kid is a danger to society and he won't stop until he eventually kills someone or himself.
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by mike
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09/01/07 12:07 AM
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We have to thank the police for keeping us informed how this was not the Hogans fault. Thanks Mr Shelor whendid you start being the Hogans P/R man
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by mike
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08/31/07 09:36 PM
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Lawyer- The reson they will not post it is the same reason the police keep making statements for the Hogan's. No charges no tickets no drag racing no matter how many witnesses come forward. the longer it goes it will be easy to cover up.
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by Mo
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08/31/07 08:42 PM
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John- Berry-
You guys are in my prayers- If you guys need anything please let me know! I love you both-
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by david
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08/31/07 08:29 AM
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Hulk Hogan son should be put in jail immediately.Also,he should have his licence suspened asap.This incident shows wht our court system leans to the rich people.ALSO,the injured occupant should sue the HOGAN FAMILY,for everthing the have and own.
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by PA
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08/31/07 12:30 AM
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The identity of the driver has simply brought to light a big social problem. But for those who support him, do you realize the gravity of his action? Sure he regrets it, but obviously he lacks maturity and should face the music...
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by mc
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08/30/07 10:44 PM
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my prayers are with you john and family.
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by cheyenne
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08/30/07 09:37 PM
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I think that people (young people) make mistakes and that is aloud. My prayers go out to both families, and remember it was just a terrible accident and we as people need to start forgiving and not critizing over things that most of you have done to.
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by Pual
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08/30/07 08:44 PM
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Prayers, prayers, prayers. SHUT UP! Your god did this, he has mysterious ways you know. Hypocrites! Don't you want people to go to heaven?
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by Lindsey
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08/30/07 07:32 PM
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Accidents happen. This is not one of them. ". . .they live for speed." I guess they're willing to die for it too. Personally, I don't care as long as they don't take an innocent motorist, pedestrian, bicyclist, or pet out with them.
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by Lenore
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08/30/07 07:06 PM
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Okay,I'm confused. Who actually owns the Viper? In the paper it says that his father owns it yet on Nick's myspace it showed the car and he said it was his.
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by a concerned friend
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08/30/07 06:43 PM
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No 1 really knows what happened. They're just speculating they were racing. I know them they aren't like what ppl are saying they are. They are all friends, you all need to stop worring whos at fault now & focus on whos hurt. My prayers r w/ you John
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by Jeffrey
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08/30/07 06:18 PM
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My thoughts and prayers are with John and his family. I hope this puts some scare into so many hotshot kids that have more money than sense. This is a terrible event but the entire Hogan family thinks they are way above the law!
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by Jo
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08/30/07 06:12 PM
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This "accident" was pure and simple gross negligence. And actually, none of this is any of our business, but people love to talk about celebrities like they them personally.Let's pray for the kid and let's hope the person at fault is penalized
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by Jason
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08/30/07 05:37 PM
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It is amazing how strong of opinions people can have with such little knowledge. It sounds like non of you have ever made a bad decision in your life. He was 17 and doing what 17 yr olds do. You people need to focus your energy on praying for John.
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by tracy
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08/30/07 05:34 PM
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drunk drivers and young punk drivers deserve each other. they should be off the roads or in jail. no remorse to any of them.
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by Melinda
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08/30/07 05:14 PM
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A person chooses to drive drunk. A person chooses to race and put their own thrills ahead of the safety of others. I don't see the distinction between racing and drunk driving.
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by KG
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08/30/07 05:09 PM
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Obviously there was a bad decision made with terrible consequences, every one on this planet has made bad decisions including me,all with different outcomes,I'm sure Nick would do anything to take this back he didn't wish for this!NOBODY IS PERFECT!
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by Lawyer
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08/30/07 04:57 PM
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I find it curious that I post comments about FL Statutes governing this incident as well as driving records from the Pinellas Co public records but sptimes.com won't post it--whose side are you on?
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by Noneyabusiness
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08/30/07 04:51 PM
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you people think u know everything but the only thing u know is what u read. the only 2 people who know exactly what happened are nick & john. get over yourselves. they are friends. they chose to be in the car together that night. WE LOVE U JOHN!
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by sean
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08/30/07 04:10 PM
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In general we have too many poor drivers in Clearwater. This accident brings the issue to light because of the individuals involved. We need to better protect our community. My best to the soldier involved and I thank him for his service.
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