TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Photos Released Showing Severity Of Bollea Crash
Photo from the Clearwater Police Department
This photo depicting the aftermath of Nick Bollea’s car crash last August is among several hundred images released this morning by Clearwater Police.
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Published: March 12, 2008
Updated: 03/12/2008 07:28 pm
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Clearwater police today released photographs of the August crash involving Nick Bollea, the son of former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.
Bollea and his passenger, John J. Graziano, were injured after Bollea's yellow Supra careened out of control and struck a palm tree in the median of four-lane Court Street, police said.
Bollea faces up to five years in prison for injuring Graziano, who suffered brain damage in the wreck.
These crime scene and victim photos depicting the aftermath of the crash are among several hundred images released this morning.
The pictures detail the severity of the impact.
Photos also show the severity of Graziano's head injuries. Those pictures are too graphic to show but indicate an inches-deep open gash in Graziano's forehead in the hours following the crash. Graziano is hospitalized at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa.
Clearwater police released the photos as a result of public records requests by The Tampa Tribune and News Channel 8.
Last week, Bollea's attorney, Kevin Hayslett, released one of the photos, which he says shows that Bollea did not have bloodshot eyes after the accident. Hayslett says the photo helps prove that Bollea was not drinking before the crash as prosecutors allege.
At a news conference today, Bollea's defense lawyers also said the graphic photos of Graziano's head wound indicate that his head bounced off the frame of the car. They reasserted their contention that that would not have happened if Graziano had been wearing a seat belt.
In response, George Tragos, an attorney for Graziano, said, "That's hogwash."
Kim Kohn, another of Graziano's attorneys, said, "This is not like a broken leg. We're talking about years of rehab before we can even know where John's going to be."
The photos released today will be used as evidence by both sides when Bollea faces trial for reckless driving and causing an accident with serious bodily injury.
Prosecutors say Bollea was racing another vehicle before the crash and was traveling at least 69 mph - 39 mph over the speed limit - at the time of the wreck.
Bollea's attorney says his review of the evidence shows Bollea was not speeding or racing when he lost control of the car.
At today's news conference, lawyers for Graziano said that a coma is not an accurate description of Graziano's condition. They did not describe his condition any further.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( Quagmire ) on March 12, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Clearwater police today released photographs. Yeah but just not to TBO.
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Posted by ( picogator ) on March 12, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Put this PUNK in jail and fine him as well. I hope the Graziano family wins a large law suit from Bolea and his family.
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Posted by ( rere1919 ) on March 12, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
In my opinion I think its sad that Graziano was injured, but I seriously doubt Bolea intentionally meant for all of this to happen. He is going to have to live the rest of his life knowing that Graziano is in the state he's in because of his actions behind the wheel. Im sure Graziano wasnt thinking anything about the outcome when they were having fun together that night. The point of this is, they are both young men that might not always make the right decisions and there are going to be concequences, but if the tables were turned things might not be the same.
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Posted by ( thatguyfl82 ) on March 12, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm not saying I don't think Bollea should be charged... but I do think if Graziano was wearing his seatbelt he would've been fine. The Drivers side looked like a much worse seat to be in the vehicle at the time of the crash and Nick made it out ok. It just goes to show you how important it is to buckle up.
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Posted by ( Jetta ) on March 12, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow, looking at the wreakage it is amazing both of them came out alive.
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Posted by ( Desmo ) on March 12, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
>>Bollea's attorney says his review of the evidence shows Bollea was not speeding or racing when he lost control of the car.<<
Judging by the damage to car then it must have been made of paper mache.
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Posted by ( goodhands33637 ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The punk needs to be in jail. This wasn't his first time speeding and sure will not be his last.
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Posted by ( woods2001 ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with rere1919. There is a lot of good that Nick can do to prevent kids from doing stupid things like this in the future. He is an influential person among young people and hopefully he will use this to promote awareness, safety and responsiblity behind the wheel. I don't think he should get off scott-free, but it wasn't a harmful or malicious act that injured Graziano, more like foolishness.
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Posted by ( cshultz110 ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Given the severity of this crash and its aftermath as well as the well publicized divorce currently underway with the drama of an affair with one of his daughters friends, I would think it would be safe to draw the conclusion that - "Hogan DOESN'T Know Best"!!!
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Posted by ( Snot_Funny ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Are you people serious!? Lock that idiot up for five years and never let him have a drivers license again. HE BASICALLY KILLED HIS FRIEND! I don't want him on the streets!
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Posted by ( bm1976 ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
>>Bollea's attorney says his review of the evidence shows Bollea was not speeding or racing when he lost control of the car.<<
"Judging by the damage to car then it must have been made of paper mache."
Umm judging by the looks of his car he WASN'T doing the 35MPH SPEED LIMIT ON THAT STREET! He deserves to be punished because he doesn't get what he has done. Daddy is trying to save him and daddies the reason it happened for giving a 16YR OLD THAT CAR! So he should be paying the medical bills with all his money, not us tax payers!
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Posted by ( lwiedy ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't really think this kid is a criminal, but his is absoulutely a danger to the public. In addition to his financial obligations, he should not be allowed to drive for at least 10 years. Certainly one would accept that over jail (wouldn't they?). It is not only a punishment, but it protects the the public from a person that by his own admission drives dangerously.
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Posted by ( acuratl96 ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:25 p.m.
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Posted by ( vern ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nick Bollea was speeding and racing. It really doesn't matter whether Graziano was wearing a seatbelt. The only fact that matters is who was driving the car. The driver is the responsible party...period. I understand that everyone has their opinion about guilt and and/or punishment, but the bottom line is that someone was seriously hurt because of poor decisions.
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Posted by ( solar ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nick needs to fire his attorney, how can anyone look at those photos and say with a straight face he wasn't going at least 50 to 60 mph. I think Nick's his attorney is doing some serious drugs.
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Posted by ( Supra20 ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This was a terrible accident. These photo's are taken after EMS used special equipment to cut away the roof and doors to remove the injured. The pictures make the damages to the car appear much more severe than it was.
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Posted by ( Shadow59 ) on March 12, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
>>Bollea's attorney says his review of the evidence shows Bollea was not speeding or racing when he lost control of the car.<<
Are you kidding me!?! What "evidence" was HE looking at!?!?!? There's not a sane person anywhere that could look at those photos and believe that. What a crock of $hyte.
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Posted by ( allflamedout ) on March 12, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well, if Nick wasn't speeding, I wonder how fast the tree was traveling to cause that kind of damage....
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Posted by ( topazorchid ) on March 12, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Bollea's attorney says his review of the evidence shows Bollea was not speeding or racing when he lost control of the car."
That is the BIGGEST LOAD OF BS I have read today! Look at the damage of that car! There would NOT be that level of damage if he was driving the 30 mph posted speed limit as he claims to have been!
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Posted by ( gina1108 ) on March 12, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Whoever said that he is influential to other young people is as crazy as he is. He is a JOKE in the racing world that he so badly wants to be a part of. Any respect that people had for him went out the window after this crash.
I don't even think it's so much that the crash happened, it's the attitude he had after it.
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Posted by ( vern ) on March 12, 2008 at 2:11 p.m.
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Posted by ( knowbetter ) on March 12, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let's just say he needs to pay for the bad choice he made, and he was speeding as it is so clear...(Allflamedout),,,I like that about the tree, good one!
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Posted by ( acarr ) on March 12, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Who is footing the bill at the VA Hospital for his friend Graziano??The Taxpayers??? Or are the Hogans paying?
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on March 12, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
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Posted by ( gina1108 ) on March 12, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
acarr, its a VA hospital...it's funded by the govt.
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Posted by ( rocknroll ) on March 12, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
woods2001
YOu must be a moron. Nick is influential person, get bent, he is a little spoiled rotten, punkazz beatch who daddy spoils, he should go to jail period. and whoeevr said that graziano was at fault for not wearing a seatbelt is as stupid as u if not more.
Nick has been getting away with this speeding crap and braggging for too long, lets see his butt in jail where it belongs.
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Posted by ( cadillacman ) on March 12, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
with his parents knowing his driving record why would they buy him that kind of car ? they should be held respon.the whole family raced around clearwater liked they owned it....THE OZZIE OSBORN FAMILY OF CLEARWATER
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Posted by ( rere1919 ) on March 12, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
RobKay.... Im not saying he shouldnt be punished, but come on... 5 years in prison is alittle extreme for something that could have very well happen to him if Graziano or anyone else was driving.. i just think hes getting so much heat because of who he is.. The only thing that is going to happen if he gets thrown in jail is we the taxpayers are going to have to pay for him to be there. And in the long run its still not going to change what happen to Graziano.
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Posted by ( lberry ) on March 12, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
All...if you read previous articles Nick states he was going 10 MPH under the speed limit.LOL!! We all know his "speeding" record. Pictures say 1000 words...Police report states he was going 70mph at the time of the crash-impact ..I'm guessing after he had put on the break ..a few times ...I'm sure!! I say he needs Jail time!! As far as the blood shot eyes and wrong form used...really does not matter...the blood draw tells us he had been drinking..daddy bought it..he is under age..JAIL TIME!
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Posted by ( sensiblysane ) on March 12, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I read today they are now producing...ta da:
Brooke Hogan Knows Best
...seriously, folks.
I guess that's because the rest of the Hogans don't know jack%#&@.
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Posted by ( sensiblysane ) on March 12, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Supra20...nick, is that you?
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Posted by ( Melody07 ) on March 12, 2008 at 5 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nick broke the law by speeding and racing (there is video evidence of this from a nearby business). This isn't the first time. There is plenty of proof (look at his driving record).
His license should be revoked for several years.
He should be sentenced to jail time.
What an example this will be to the youth in the community who enjoy racing on our streets. They do not have the right to put my life in danger to get their kicks behind the wheel.
There are consequenses in life for the choices we make.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on March 12, 2008 at 5:18 p.m.
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Posted by ( rere1919 ) on March 12, 2008 at 5:29 p.m.
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Posted by ( gina1108 ) on March 12, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
RobKay, please go back and read my post again. I never said that WE weren't paying for John's care. I said the government was paying for it. I know where the money comes from.
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Posted by ( specialtimes ) on March 12, 2008 at 9:12 p.m.
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Posted by ( specialtimes ) on March 12, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Where did my comment go? It didn't even say removed, just didn't show up. What gives with that TBO?
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Posted by ( crumbsnatcher23 ) on March 13, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
guess the don't make cars like the use too. If that was a El Camino, that tree would be laying down.
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Posted by ( RRR ) on March 13, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Prayers continue for the families involved. However, the attys continue to spew pretrial misinformation.
Most importantly Nick made a decision to drive this vehicle of his own free will-not under duress at high speed and is PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE for his actions. Great job parents, based on previous traffic issues with Nick
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Posted by ( bigpete ) on March 13, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Lawyers SUCK (.) They can make people look like jerks. (putit nicely) Anyway, Nick has had driving problems, but I don't think this was anything he was expecting. I do hope all will learn a hard lesson. Nick is not the only fast driver it has some to do with Daddy
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Posted by ( signit4bes ) on March 13, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Gee, I'm glad we now have photos to exemplify the severity of the crash (as if John Graziano's state wasn't enough).
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Posted by ( scottfwtx ) on March 13, 2008 at 10:58 a.m.
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Posted by ( mickeymann1 ) on March 13, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Watch how he gets off because of DAD's MONEY.. TBO should get the stats on all accidents like this and show what he should get. ALso I guess he gets special attention because he does not have to face drinking charges.
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Posted by ( medguy ) on March 13, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Unfortunately young people can be very foolish. But foolishness does not negate the severity of the incident, nor does it excuse responsibility. Mr. Graziano's life has been permanently altered by a very foolish act. The responsible party should be held accountable. What's that young mans life worth? I would certainly think more than five years! Celebrity status affords those that have it to walk above the rest of us, but it doesn't leave them any less responsible. LOCK HIM UP!!!!
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Posted by ( neeldlandolakes ) on March 13, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Tragic, terrible, too much. When are we going to find out where the booze came from? If Nick bought it, woe to the store. If Graziano bought it, so be his woe. Someone said "daddy bought it" do we know this to be true? Nick could be a tremendous force in helping the fdle "force" if he is indeed remorseful. What do we know about Nick's nightmares? There are a lot of unanswered questions. Nick KNOWS about "Nick night". Where's the interrigation now? Too bad he didn't get taken to Hillsborough Co. SO. Maybe they would have gotten all the facts???
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Posted by ( jeaniney ) on March 13, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.
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Posted by ( renelopezwa ) on March 13, 2008 at 3:50 p.m.
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Posted by ( cadillacman ) on March 13, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
WHAT HAVE THESE PEOPLE EVER DONE FOR THE TAMPA BAY AREA OTHER THAN JUST TAKE FROM IT.... THE PARENTS AND A MINOR SON SHOULD ALL BE ARRESTED
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