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Bollea Leaves For California

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON

sthompson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 3, 2009

CLEARWATER - Nick Bollea wasn't supposed to drive for three years as part of his plea in May, but he can now drive under certain circumstances.

Bollea, 18, got his license back Friday, said Ann Nucatola, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Bollea's license is for business purposes only, however, meaning he can drive only to and from work and to and from school, she said.

The Department of Corrections is allowing Bollea to serve his probation in California, a spokeswoman said. Bollea left for that state Monday. He intends to live with his maternal grandparents and attend school, his attorneys have said. Nucatola said it would be up to California to decide whether to maintain the business-purposes-only aspect of his reinstated license.

In May, Bollea pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless driving involving serious bodily injury following an Aug. 26, 2007, crash that left his passenger, John Graziano, with permanent brain damage. Bollea was sentenced to and served an eight-month jail sentence. He was also put on probation for five years.

A circuit judge in Pinellas County also ordered his license revoked for three years, but under state law, Bollea still could apply for a business-purposes-only license through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Bollea's attorney, Kevin Hayslett, said he was pleased to get Bollea's license back for him. "I think the public will see him driving like a little old lady as opposed to Mario Andretti," Hayslett said.

As for the move to California, Hayslett said, Bollea was looking to start anew.

"Nick wants to get out of the local spotlight and restart his life," Hayslett said.

Bollea is the son of celebrity and former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336.

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