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Plea Expected In Bollea Crash Case
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Published: May 8, 2008
Updated: 05/08/2008 06:11 pm
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CLEARWATER - Nick Bollea is expected to withdraw his not guilty plea Friday to a reckless driving charge and throw himself on the mercy of the presiding judge.
He faces a sentence ranging from probation to five years in prison.
Bollea, the 17-year-old son of former wrestler Hulk Hogan, entered the not guilty plea after being charged in November in the Aug. 26 crash that critically injured his passenger, John Graziano, now 23.
"I expect that he will change his plea," Assistant State Attorney Scott Rosenwasser said today. The move does not represent any kind of deal between prosecutors and Bollea's attorneys, Rosenwasser said.
Bollea's defense attorney Kevin Hayslett could not be reached for comment. It could not be determined whether Bollea will plead no contest or guilty to the charge leveled against him – reckless driving involving serious bodily injury.
Graziano's guardian filed a lawsuit in March against Hulk Hogan and his family for injuries that left the Iraq war veteran in a semiconscious state after the wreck.
Guardian Peter Musante is suing the famed former wrestler, whose real name is Terry Bollea, as well as Bollea's estranged wife, Linda, who is divorcing him. The suit also names Nick Bollea as a defendant.
Millions of dollars are needed to take care of Graziano, who currently resides in the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, said George Tragos, the attorney representing Graziano in the civil lawsuit.
Tragos said the entire Graziano family will be at the hearing Friday. Family members are expected to give the presiding judge their opinion, he said. Tragos declined to say whether members of the family will be urging the judge to give Bollea the maximum five years.
"Tomorrow we will say more," Tragos said.
If Bollea is adjudicated guilty, it could strengthen the civil suit, Tragos said. If the judge withholds adjudication of guilt, it would not strengthen the civil suit as much as an adjudication of guilt would, he said.
Whether Bollea receives probation or a prison term will have no bearing on the suit, Tragos said.
The teen was driving a Toyota Supra when it smacked into a tree. The driver whom police say Bollea was racing, Danny Jacobs, 22, also is being sued.
Part of Graziano's frontal lobe had to be removed, but he responds to heat, touch, and there's eye movement. On occasion, he has breathed without a ventilator.
Before the wreck, Bollea - at the wheel of the Supra - and Jacobs - at the wheel of a Dodge Viper - were racing through downtown Clearwater, police say. The Supra, which came from the factory with 300 to 330 horsepower, had been souped up to have more than 400 horsepower, the suit says.
While Bollea is expected to enter a plea Friday, Jacobs pleaded no contest in February to a charge of reckless driving and was sentenced to probation.
Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( thatguyfl82 ) on May 8, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I dare this judge to sentence him to the fullest. He doesn't have the Trucknutz to sentence this kid and its a shame. If I was a betting man, I'd say he's getting probation.
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Posted by ( WellWater ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sadly I agree with you thatguyfl82.
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Posted by ( ratracer ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
IT just proves that if you have money you could buy your way thru the legal system.I hope the family cleans him out of funds.Let him ride a scooter for a while.
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Posted by ( pcdebb ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
anything less than a full prison sentence would be an injustice. all he has to do is look at the person he so-calls a friend, lying in that bed and unable to do a thing for himself. yea, some friend. but like it was already said, it'll be a slap on his rich wrist.
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Posted by ( BrassBowldotOrg ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He needs jail time, permanent loss of license and settlement to Graziano's family.
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Posted by ( dasapat ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Obviously you people don't know Judge Federico. He used to be an Assistant State Attorney and does not look kindly on defendants who cause injuries. You also have to remember that they have to follow sentencing guidelines set by the state - they can't just sentence them to whatever they want to. Learn something about the law before you run your mouths about it.
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Posted by ( bonkbonk ) on May 8, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
LISTEN UP AMERCIA IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW JUSTICE IN THIS COUNTRY IS ALL ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD! AND EVERY POLITICAL OFFICE IS FOR SALE!!
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Posted by ( picogator ) on May 8, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
diego...I do not know where the hell u are coming from, but you are so far off base in this matter. Just slap Nick on the wrist and let him go; after all, his family has the $$. I sure hope that a civil/wrongful death suit just wipes them out.
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Posted by ( livinglife ) on May 8, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Money can buy you out of anything! Unfortunately, this will prob. be the case, and he'll be back on the road w/Daddys money in another sports car! I say he deserves the max in sentencing! And he doesn't need to be on the road!
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Posted by ( crysntrin ) on May 8, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
whatever. If he wasnt hulks son he would be in jail now. the victim is a vegetable..watch him walk off with probation
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Posted by ( whasup ) on May 8, 2008 at 6:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To me, this is the first responsible thing Nick has done since the day of the accident. He could have tried to negotiate a deal, but the gravity of his actions hopefully have finally sunk in. He isn't trying to weasel out of it now. I believe when you are responsible for the loss of any quality of life for your best friend, or after any loss, you probably go through the same levels of grief as when someone dies...shock, denial, anger, then acceptance, and in this case acceptance that he caused it. I see this as a sign that he's decided to finally 'man up' and accept the decision of the judge. Because of this I believe he is showing character by accepting the consequences. I still feel sorry for the pain he must feel at being responsible for the loss of his best friend. I don't admire his lack of judgement the day he played loose and free with the lives of himself and John...but I do respect him being willing to take his medicine like a man.
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Posted by ( tiredofitall ) on May 8, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Because of what he is charged with I hope the judge gives him the maximum, 5 years in prison. I don't think that will happen but that's what I think he should get.
He is a rotten child. Spoiled and indulged.
On the other hand, I don't think his friend would want this to be his sentence.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on May 8, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I think Nick Boella needs some jail time for his own good. He also needs to loose his right to drive for a good long time. Anything less and he will be back on the streets again a menace to himself and us untill the next time. I also think you're all forgetting that the "big" trial is the civil suit that will follow. This is just the preliminary and what ever he pleads to now is just positioning for the main event. Don't be so easily fooled. The gloves will come off when its about money.
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Posted by ( picogator ) on May 8, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The max....five years of hard time.
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Posted by ( specialtimes ) on May 8, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I wonder what john would want as a sentence. I would bet he would say something like, give him a break, he didn't mean to do it. I was just a guilty as him, I was in the car and I wanted to race so I guess I am wrong too. I just feel like this is what he would want. We might some day find out for sure but doubt it. I don't think he will ever be anything close to normal!!!
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Posted by ( dewite1 ) on May 8, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
hey special, you sound like you live in a special world
let's say I am sitting at a light in your car, and I say to you let's race that guy. Are you such a lousy driver and fool, that you would go fast enough to lose total control, slam into a tree, make veg of me , then say you are not guilty and were not racing? WAKE UP!!
Now he will change his plea, because it has been arranged........
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Posted by ( dewite1 ) on May 8, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
BY THE WAY....5 YEARS FOR ALL THE TIMES HE HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH MANY THINGS THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON WOULD NOT HAVE, SEEMS VERY REASONABLE. his dad (and he really isn't one , but...)will be saving some money while nicky is away...he can use that for the civil trial.....
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Posted by ( anne02 ) on May 8, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with diego- put the hard core criminals behind bars, Give Nick community service.ie teaching young drivers about the hazards of speed etc..He can work in the High Schools etc.. The Graziano family is now sueing the people that their adult son grew up with, who worked on nicks crew team , and was a promotor of the sport of racing..and was not wearing a seat belt...?????Where is the justice
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Posted by ( anne02 ) on May 8, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
More than one view is allowed...and encouraged.Just review this board.. Name calling is low class my friend
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Posted by ( picogator ) on May 9, 2008 at midnight ( Suggest removal )
Anne...yes, u are ignorant...and no, that is not name calling, just stating an obvious fact.
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Posted by ( FLMateo1 ) on May 9, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's amazing how a majority here end up judge, jury, and executioner on this case with the media slanted facts (and we know the media ALWAYS tells us EVERYTHING) that have been presented so far. If I get behind the wheel after a night at the bar (which so many do and don't get caught) should I be able to sue the bar when I crash my vehicle? Do I feel Nick is innocent? No. Should he he held 100 percent accountable for Graziano not taking the second it takes to buckle up that law enforcement spends so much money on to get through both kids and adults thick heads about seatbelts between tickets and commercials? No. As Americans we thrive on the drama that celebrities (or their families) bring about. Do I feel that celebrities live by a different set of rules and laws in life? I would have to be an idiot to say no. I know all of you were by far the best drivers in the world at 17 (and I mean that in the most sarcastic of ways) so please, let's go by the old saying "Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself." If this wasn't the Hulkster's son, this would have gotten a couple lines and never would have gotten the attention it did. On the same note, just because it is a fortunate family doesn't mean the judge needs to stick it to him. For those who chastise Hulk for trying to protect his son, how dare you? I have learned having a young child that I would do whatever it took to protect him. If you wouldn't what kind of parent are you? I'm sure Hulk can provide just a tad bit more than me as an average Joe, but my son has done more in his young age than I ever did in the first 18 years of my life (and my mother reminds me of that every chance she gets). Just take a minute to walk a mile in their shoes. Would you feel the same way you do now? I was in a major accident where my seatbelt saved my life when I lost control of my car at 19 and hit a telephone pole. In my accident, I was on my way to pick up a friend to drive her to the shop her car was being worked on at. My front passenger side was where the car hit the pole at a high rate of speed (I lost control on a narrow country road when I overcorrected). If this had occurred 10 minutes later than it did she would have been dead even with her seat belt on, and I would still be dealing with that guilt on my head. Even now, several years later, that accident haunts me with the fact I almost died, let alone I almost took her life. I know it will do no good, but remember justice is supposed to be blind. It should not matter who this person's father is but has he truly learned his lesson. Let's also not forget to buckle up. It just might save your life. God bless both families and hopefully He will get both families through this horrible time.
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Posted by ( anne02 ) on May 9, 2008 at 1:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
FLMate01
God Bless You, Compassion is refreshing
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Posted by ( sclark268 ) on May 9, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree there should be a heavy penance to pay finincially and physcically, but I also have to say that Mr Graziano is an adult he knows how Nick Bolea drives, he got in his car, and he DIDN"T WEAR A SEATBELT, c'mon, what's going through people's minds by not wearing a seatbelt, its CRAZY...
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