Northpinellas: Mother of crash victim shows love

With that, Debbie Graziano broke her silence about a crash that critically injured her son John Graziano.

Her message was one of strong support for the youth who was driving the car and for his famous parents.

"They are like an extended family," she wrote in an e-mail sent to the media. "Since the day of this nightmare, they have been with us physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. They came and faced our family and friends not knowing what response they would get."

On Aug. 26 in Clearwater, Nick Bollea, whose father is the wrestler Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, crashed a yellow Toyota Supra. John Graziano was Nick Bollea's passenger.

Frustrated by a week of "hearing small bites of what is being said in the media (regarding) my son's accident, I can no longer remain silent," Debbie Graziano wrote.

"One week ago, two good friends got into a tragic accident," she wrote. "Two families are devastated. Two mothers are comforting each other and caring for each other's children according to their needs and will continue to do so until, as Terry said, we walk John out of here."

She said that John Graziano has been close to the Bollea family for six years. She said the two families celebrated when John Graziano left for Marine boot camp and again when he came home after serving in Iraq.

She added that the Bolleas have not just sent in food and supplies to the hospital, they personally deliver them.

She said the two families cry together, laugh together and admire John for his dry humor, his courage, his generosity and his love for his family.

She stated that her family has been abundantly blessed by support from family, friends and those she doesn't even know.

"I cannot begin to thank our community for how they have carried us on their shoulders from restaurants, dentists, Palm Harbor Elementary School ... my son's Marine buddies who will begin a second tour of duty in Iraq in the fall are here," she wrote. "I'll close with this: We are two families who love John. It was a horrific accident. Nick is experiencing every step in the process with us."

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Comments on this article

by Kicker	11/08/07 01:36 PM
Fame and money is keeping Nick out of jail, he should be locked away for a few years, his friend at best will be a vegitable.

by sean	09/17/07 06:19 PM
I think if we invistigate the video survellance of all the bank camera in the area terry and nick would be cleared of all charges

by dean	09/17/07 06:18 PM
god save them from themselves and the hunt for fame because death is usually close by---- love honor and courage to are soldiers who have fought for our country

by Paul D	09/17/07 06:16 PM
I think they should give terry and nick a polygraph test to see if they are telling the truth so the world will know if are valiant soldiers are being manipulated by an industry that thrives on things other than the media

by Catherine	09/06/07 01:22 PM
This time "Fate was the Hunter" and was successful, my prayer is for Nick to mature and get over himself and for John to walk out of hospital and rejoin family at home. Bless them both.

by tracey	09/06/07 12:08 PM
I am looking for the Hopitals adress so i can said a card to the family can some one help please. inmemoryofjody@yahoo.com

by Debbie	09/05/07 09:13 AM
I believe that Nick and his family are very upset and worried about John. My comment is to Nick's parents - face the fact that Nick was speeding, look at the car - and make Nick face the penalty..for his own safety and that of others. PLEASE!!

by Teresa	09/04/07 08:45 PM
As I said before, Debbie Graziano is a wonderful person and a good Christian. People that don't know her are still critizing her, even after she explained things she didn't have to. May God Bless all involved, especially John.

by FrankTheCrank	09/04/07 06:07 PM
If Nick Bollea continues to drive like this, he is endangering himself and the citizens of Tampa. I TRULY HOPE Nick has learned his lesson. And will no longer SPEED as he brags of doing recently in a car magazine.

by Gail	09/04/07 04:42 PM
My daughter lost her license for 5 years at the age of 17 for getting 4 tickets including 1 for seatbelt and 1 for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. I just don't think the system is fair, however my prayers are with John and his family.

by Ron	09/04/07 04:12 PM
Two systems broke down, the Dad who we all love should not give a 17 year old these high HP Cars-And the DMV for not revoking his DL. Is anyone thinking or does celebrity status exempt you from the law?

by denny	09/04/07 03:03 PM
im glad to see that the families are so close and that ons mother is so fair and forgiving

by Jane	09/04/07 12:07 PM
Nick is probably in a lot of pain for what happen, it wasn't intentional, however, it could have been prevented.

by WACKO-JACK REMIX	09/04/07 11:50 AM
WONT GET POSTED UNLESS HOGAN LOVER! IF it were my son the COPS wouldn't do alcohol testing by "looking" at them. Cops SAID that they "looked" straight"!!!! Rich and famous are GROSSLY under policed and given so many favors..ie free over 100ph passes!

by Al	09/04/07 11:43 AM
God Bless you Graziano and Bollea families. As Christians WE ALL must forgive. to be forgiven in the eyes of god, one must confess their sins. Come clean with what you know. Redeam yourselves in the eyes of God and lift the burden from your soul.

by amy	09/04/07 11:08 AM
To all of you who have commented harshly. You are very lucky that you didn't loose control those times you were going over the speed limit crossing a bridge or running late on Ulmerton. We have alot of glass houses around here, aparently.

by Amy	09/04/07 11:04 AM
If Nick had only one stop for speeding pryor to the accident, there would still be people wanting him arrested and such. It's a shame people can't see how deeply he is paying now. Put yourself in his shoes, he's paying dearly. My prayers to all.

by TK	09/04/07 10:55 AM
Can we stop throwing stones and pray that hopefully Nick has learned has a vauluable lesson as we all should.There are a lot more out there who speed,drive careless, reckless & who are inconsiderate to other drivers on the road every day.

by Patricia	09/04/07 10:49 AM
I used to work at Bayfront on the trauma floor. I think John's Mom may feel differently if John does not ever recover, but I pray he does.

by Patricia	09/04/07 10:48 AM
Just read Hulk say no one was racing-but an eyewitness nurse from Plant City said she saw them racing. She is reputable nurse with a license. Hmmm

by josiphina	09/04/07 10:37 AM
I find it amazing that when someone that has famous parents are in a accident it is news and the kids are to blame yes I understand what he has done in the past but Look at what goes on at gandy bridge every weekend and no one is commenting on that.

by Jeff	09/04/07 10:26 AM
If Nick was drinking or worse drunk, he's looking at manslaughter charges. If he was drinking on the "family boat" I guess Hogan doesn't know best! I wouldn't wish this on anybody - but you could see this one coming.

by Melissa	09/04/07 10:23 AM
This isn't only nick's fault: John chose not to wear a seatbelt & the police, didn't revoke nick's licence. Nick is still a kid & kids dont think before they act, & his parents and the police should've stepped in.

by Jay	09/04/07 09:34 AM
Did you people read the email??? It was an ACCIDENT. Leave the Bollea's alone and pray for John. Nick didn't recieve special treatment on those previous tickets. He, like you and I can take the drivers safety courses and have the points removed.

by TERRI	09/04/07 09:31 AM
I am thankful that these families have come together in a time there they need each other. I wish John a speedy recovery and wish peace for this family and hope that we can all abide by her request to end this media frenzy.

by Luann	09/04/07 08:25 AM
I do wish John a ful recovery, I'm glad that the Bollea have been at the hospital, but if Nick's license would of been taken from him on the other 5tickets, maybe you wouldn't have to be at the hospital praying for your son to wake-up. LH

by KS	09/04/07 08:09 AM
How many "bad decisions" is he going to be allowed to make before the legal system takes action? He's gotten more chance than any of the rest of us would have gotten, and he's not even 18 yet.

by Wesley	09/04/07 08:07 AM
My prayers goes out to this young man who has fought so bravely in the war in Iraq. However, Nick being stopped numerous times for speeding, driving a car with over 700 hp's...Nick needs to pay for his bad decisions in driving and a arrest.

by Bill	09/04/07 08:06 AM
Go to the local court system and review the number of tickets given to kids under 18 for speeding and then come back and complain Nick is not treated the same as them. The police are not the legal system, they only take reports.

by Bill	09/04/07 08:03 AM
As I understand it John did not have a seat belt on and Nick did. Now if that is true then where does blame go. It's the law to wear your seat belt correct. Also look up the word racing and it has nothing to do with this car crash.

by Trevor	09/04/07 03:35 AM
One wonders how John's mother would have the time to contact all the media in South Florida.

by Teddy	09/04/07 03:15 AM
wow, the hogans have "been with us physically, emotionally, mentally and financially", wonder if they would be there if old nicky wasn't facing criminal charges

by no respect	09/04/07 12:00 AM
bought mom sold son

by Judy	09/03/07 11:12 PM
John needs the prayers of all of us- whether we know him or not. good to hear that The hulk and wife are Showing they really care,

by anne	09/03/07 10:52 PM
It great to hear the truth come out.God Bless