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Police deny access to Bollea car
Attorneys representing him and his injured passenger asked to photograph the wreck.
By TAMARA EL-KHOURY
Published September 18, 2007
CLEARWATER - Lawyers for Nick Bollea and the father of his passenger are asking police for permission to photograph the crushed remains of the yellow Toyota Supra that Bollea wrecked on Aug. 26. But police have denied the requests, saying their investigation is ongoing. Letters released Monday by Clearwater police suggest that both the Bolleas and Edward Graziano, the father of passenger John Graziano, are anticipating lawsuits as a result of the crash. In an Aug. 28 letter to the Clearwater Police Department and the city attorney's office, Bollea's lawyer asked police to release the car to its owner, whom he lists as Nicholas Bollea and his father, Terry Gene Bollea, also known as wrestler Hulk Hogan. "The owner of the vehicle has a direct interest in preserving the integrity of the vehicle and preventing any spoliation, as the vehicle may be the subject of potential future litigation," wrote J. Kevin Hayslett. Police say Bollea lost control of the Supra on Court Street and slammed into a palm tree, critically injuring John Graziano. On Sept. 4, Tampa lawyer Stephen L. Romine wrote Clearwater police Chief Sid Klein to notify him that Cohen, Jayson & Foster had been hired to represent Bollea. The next day, Kimberley M. Kohn, an attorney representing Edward Graziano, wrote to police and asked them to preserve the car after the investigation "so that we can have an opportunity to have our accident reconstructionist coordinate a date and time, convenient with your department, to examine the vehicle and download any information available." In a Sept. 12 letter to Rob Surette, an attorney for the Clearwater Police Department, Romine said a representative from his law firm went to the police department to photograph and videotape the condition of the car and was denied access. Romine also wrote that he was advised the police department will not allow access to the car under any circumstances until the State Attorney's Office either files a no information or a criminal charge. No charges have been filed. Tamara El-Khoury can be reached at tel-khoury@sptimes.com or 727 445-4181.
[Last modified September 17, 2007, 23:33:37]
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by john
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09/18/07 04:48 PM
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how come you dont post most of the comments?
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by scott
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09/18/07 08:18 AM
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I hope that Clearwater PD does'nt cave in to Barry Cohen the way the HCSO does.
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by Teena
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09/18/07 06:32 AM
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I heard the St Pete Times ONLY posted nice things about the Bolleas. WE will see if that is true! I am very concerned about the contents in the car and the black box that will tell the true tale of that night. Most no all would not want the car!
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by alan
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09/18/07 06:25 AM
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it was an auto accident.no one was killed the owner of the car should have full posssion of the car,,who the hell do they think they are taking the car from the family,,no death and its been at least a month,,who is being charged for the storage of i
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