Southpinellas: Bollea passenger's dad is arrested

ST. PETERSBURG - The father of a man critically injured in a crash involving the son of wrestler Hulk Hogan was arrested Friday on charges that he violated a domestic violence injunction.

Edward Graziano, 52, of Dunedin violated the injunction on Friday by going to Bayfront Medical Center, where his son was in intensive care, and entering the same room as his wife, Debra, police said. She had renewed an expired injunction on Thursday after a fight broke out among family members at the hospital.

John Graziano, 22, remained in critical condition. On Sunday evening, he was riding in a car driven by Hulk Hogan's son, Nick Bollea, 17, who lost control on Court Street in Clearwater and crashed into a tree.

Witnesses say Bollea had been racing a second car, a Dodge Viper, whose driver police have not identified.

Investigators say Hogan, who owns three Vipers, was not driving, but they have not said whether one of his cars was involved in the incident. There are only about 130 of the distinctive Vipers registered in Pinellas County.

Graziano's family has been keeping a constant vigil at the hospital since the crash.

During Thursday's fight, Edward Graziano threw a cup of cold coffee on relatives and police were called to the hospital. Officers, however, determined the incident did not constitute a crime but rather a "domestic brawl."

They were called to the hospital again at 3:15 p.m. on Friday after Graziano arrived and came in contact with his wife, in violation of the injunction. He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail on the misdemeanor charge.

Graziano was arrested in June on charges of domestic battery, tampering with a witness and battery on a law enforcement officer. The case is still pending.

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Comments on this article

by john	09/11/07 10:52 PM
Nick should be put behind bars. His parents are also responsible for putting a teenager with a history of reckless driving in that type of vehicle. Terry & Linda are irresponsible parents and are to blame for this unnecessary tragedy.

by Seta	09/04/07 08:51 AM
We can't assume to know what the Hogan parents have or have not done in regards to Nick's speeding, but we DO KNOW what the Police did..Nothing! By the Police's actions,or lack of, they're more responsible for this incident than Nick's parents!!

by ricky	09/02/07 06:32 PM
Hulk hogan is as much as fault as anyone in this tragedy. He knew his son had been foolish on the road,he knew about the tickets, but did nothing to correct his son. He also put them in front of the world so they could be famous.

by BV	09/02/07 03:48 PM
Proof positive that "money can't buy class" Somehow I keep expecting Paris Hilton, O J Simpson, and all the other media creatures to show up in this circus. Maybe the "mytery" Viper driver will turn out to be one of them?

by Greg	09/02/07 12:35 PM
Nick is a kid who does not have enough years in driving, let alone professional driving, and to do those speeds in ANY city he should have been arrested and put in jail like any one of us would have. Hulk should come out and tell us what happened !!!

by mike	09/02/07 10:32 AM
How many witnesses do the Police need to tell them what happend before the do something. Charges could have been filed from the begining as far as traffic is concerned. Fail to reduce speed Reckless driving Damage to property Drag Racing ? Speeding ?

by MGiglio	09/02/07 10:25 AM
Wow great job by the Police. They have all the information about the graziano's in record time. Wish they put that effort into charging Nick Bollea with Reckless Driving, Damage to property, Failing to reduce speed.

by Mike	09/02/07 10:17 AM
It's funny how police have every detail about this incident with the Graziano family but they will not give a straight answer when it comes to the Hogan's or the accident. Famous quote No charges have been filed.

by Tom	09/02/07 09:15 AM
Lots of questions...Why no toxicology reports? If Mr Hogan was not with the other Viper, how did he get to the scene within a minute? If someone called, phone records will show this. If alcohol's involved, they'd book me in a nano-second.

by Dave	09/02/07 07:13 AM
This would be comical if it wasn't so serious - these collective nuts (read: everyone involved) are in our community? They all need ankle bracelets....every one of them...

by BOB	09/02/07 02:38 AM
Why is that when a celebrities children get in trouble they imediately go after them if they didnt put it in as hogans son half of you wouldnt have even known who he was by his name bollea so all you haters get a life of your own and quit hating

by Bob	09/02/07 02:34 AM
And To the poster K get a life you seem like a jealous fool with the postings here you inserted why not worry about yourself and leave nick alone he is a Good kid he isnt out doing drugs and drinking you seem the one who needs some jail time

by BOB	09/02/07 02:30 AM
Im sure it was a bit excessive speed was a factor but nick is a professional car driver if you watch the show hogan knows best so it might have been an accident im sure he didnt want to wreck the viper i do hope the injured passenger recovers

by Paul	09/02/07 02:27 AM
He should have thrown a cup of steroids in Hulks Face.

by Billy Bob	09/02/07 12:20 AM
Sounds like an old Jerry Springer episode, except no one would believe it. Pure redneck. Too bad the Graziano kid got hurt so bad!

by Debi	09/01/07 10:37 PM
Since Nick is only 17yrs. aren't his parents legally responsible for his actions? Do you think mom/dad & all the police who have previously let him off the hook have figured out yet, Nick has some problems? Hopefully, this wreck will turn Nick around

by John Gault	09/01/07 10:11 PM
None of you that have posted have any idea what is going on or the history of this man. Why don't you all find something better to do than become involved in other people's lives and other people's problems? Please just pray for John!

by michael	09/01/07 10:00 PM
Wow, what great spelling.

by Joey	09/01/07 09:14 PM
Why don't they identify the other driver? Everyone else has been named.

by LBD	09/01/07 08:51 PM
Leave it to a wmoman to lash back at her husband during difficult family circumstances. I hope she's happy now that she's got the upper hand.

by betty	09/01/07 08:43 PM
Think young Hogan should have his license revoked since he thinks he can drive as fast as he wants and threaten other lives.

by mike	09/01/07 08:22 PM
What hasn't been mentioned is that any speeding violation more than 30 mph over the limit requires a court appearance. So 4 times in 1 year, judges have allowed him to keep driving. Now he should probably be doing some jail time.

by Sharon	09/01/07 07:00 PM
There is always a Black sheep in every family and Nick wins. He is a self centered egomaniac that is a loser. John will never be the same. Nick ahould be in jail. The family is under alot of stress and tempers are out of control.

by bill	09/01/07 05:58 PM
Must be nice to have money,if it were you or me we would be in jail.Hope the hulk has good lawyers.

by Bob	09/01/07 05:55 PM
Beverly Hillbillys on 'Ludes!

by Bill	09/01/07 04:35 PM
It's a shame that some readers think that it is law inforcement's fault that Nick Bollea got out of his previous tickets. The fact of the matter is that the traffic magistrates or judges are too lenient.

by rusty	09/01/07 04:08 PM
are you kidding me? this guy is going to act like this when his son in critical condition...Maybe his dad should go get his head examined but yet again they might not find anything

by Lee	09/01/07 02:16 PM
I wonder if Poor Ole Nick will use his get out of jail free card? The Marine soon to be ex-Marine will forever be altered physically.

by Kathy	09/01/07 12:51 PM
Shame on MR and Mrs Hogan-so busy showing off on their little show while allowing the 17 year old underage son they are still resposible for get off 4 times with no discipline until this happenned! ectire family has Poor judgement.

by jason	09/01/07 12:24 PM
Oddly enough, tbo.com has more in-depth coverage on the details of the speed demon Hogan and how he brags about it. Why the delay in charges? I hope for the best for the passenger, but the more well known person is going to garner more press.

by David	09/01/07 12:16 PM
Have you no idea how this kind of insane behavior looks to the rest of the world? Why report it? The man is a waste of space! Focus on the point that matters, young John Graziano's recovery from this sad event.

by Bernie	09/01/07 12:03 PM
Your license can be revoked if you race on the highway. Let's get the charges filed and get on with it.

by p.t. barnum	09/01/07 12:00 PM
The Graziano's could become the next reality show

by Mrs C	09/01/07 11:57 AM
I think the parents better grow up and think about what's really important here. And that's John. Mom you should be ashamed of your self,not allowing your son's father in to see him.And Dad keep your hands to your self. YOUR SON NEEDS BOTH OF YOU.

by Marty	09/01/07 11:28 AM
I feel very bad for John as he had no control over the accident. Spoiled Nick put into motion the accident, injuries to John and now the domstic violence of a trouble family;and I am very sure there is much more to come from both families.REALITY?