Nick Hogan’s Passenger Will Need Lifelong Care, Hulk Rushes To His Defense…Nick’s, Not John’s
John Graziano, who was injured in an accident in a car driven by Nick Hogan (or Nick Bollea, whatever he wants to be called today), is on total life support and will need care for the rest of his life:
A Sept. 19 report filed by registered nurse Joanne Jones, who was hired by the court to examine John Graziano to determine if he is incapacitated, said he was on total life support. The report said that Graziano was comatose and that he may have had a seizure.
Jones’ report said Graziano responds to a pinch and has a gag reflex but does not otherwise respond to touch or sound. His pupils are fixed, meaning they don’t respond to light. [...]
In an addendum, Jones included information given to her by Graziano’s doctor, H. Bushnell Clarke. He told her that at best, Graziano will “open his eyes on and off.”
While the pinch and gag reflexes are indicative that Graziano is not brain dead, he will undoubtedly spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.
Graziano, a Marine recently returned from Iraq, was injured in an August accident in which seventeen-year-old Nick Bollea, son of wrestler Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea), was driving his Toyota Supra at a high rate of speed on a city street while apparently racing another car. He lost control and crashed into a palm tree, trapping both men inside the car. While Nick was treated at the hospital and released the same night, his passenger was not so lucky.
In an online forum dedicated to Supras, Nick made this statement on September 16:
“john is expected to make a full recovery its just a slow process for him to wake up because he was in a medically induced coma by a drug called pentabarb which takes weeks to wear off which is why the wake up process is is so slow. his entire body is perfect , he just hit his head.â€
Funny how laymen interpret medical terms and procedures:
In her report, [court-appointed nurse] Jones detailed the injuries Graziano sustained during the wreck. He broke his skull at the base, had part of his skull cut out, experienced brain swelling and had cuts to the scalp. Bone was pushed in and broken in many pieces. He had abnormal collections of blood under the front side of the skull.
Yeah, he hit his head, all right.
As I have reported before, this wasn’t the first time that Nick was racing on city streets, and he has been busted before for speeding. And not just five miles over the posted speed limit, but recklessly speeding with no regard for anyone else. In the September issue of Rides magazine, Nick was quoted in an interview done before the accident on August 26:
“In my silver Viper, I was driving from Miami to Tampa. I got pulled over going 107 [mph] and the guy let me off. He’s like, ‘Hey, I know who you are, just keep going, ya know.’ Dude, I got back on the road and two minutes later I get pulled over going 113 [mph]. Another highway patrol from the same county said, ‘I just heard on the radio that my buddy pulled you over and let you go. I’m a let you go this time. It’s your second warning. You get pulled over again, you’re probably going to go to jail.’ Three minutes later, [I was] doing 123 mph] in a 50 [mph zone]. The guy is like, ‘Hey, I just heard you got pulled over twice in the last 10 minutes. I got to write you a ticket.’â€
Finally, a policeman with some balls.
I also happened to find an interview with the Hulkster himself. In it, dated September 4, he defends his son’s actions on that night. Here are some excerpts from that interview:
“The most important thing to me was from all the eyewitnesses and everyone that was there and saw it was that they were not racing,” the former pro-wrestling superstar told The Insider.
“It’s just so unfair,” added Hogan. “Just the way the media jumped on my son and just the way they portrayed him. From my gut, it’s something that has torn two families apart, and we’re just so close to John’s family. “
Various media outlets meanwhile have since characterized [Nick and John] as adrenaline junkies with an interest in fast cars—pointing, for instance, to Bollea’s MySpace blogs about “working [his] way into the drifting world” and boning up on his skills in hopes of participating in a formula race.
Investigators have said little about the cause of the crash, except to note that Bollea was driving at a high rate of speed at the time. They also ruled out alcohol as a possible factor.
Citing the latter statement, Hogan reiterated that his son isn’t guilty of anything.
“I’m trying to tell my son to stay strong, because at the end of the day, when all the facts are in, it was an accident,” he said.
“[Nick's] going to be okay. John’s going to be okay, and if things keep going the way they’re going…Nick and I are going to walk John right out of that hospital,” he said.
Those sentiments were echoed by Graziano’s own mother, Debra, who sent an email to St. Petersburg’s Bay News 9 expressing her appreciation for the Hogans and thanking the community for all the outpouring of prayers on behalf of her son.
“My son John has been very close to the Bollea family for over six years,” she wrote. “They are like extended family. Since day one of this nightmare, they have been with us physically, emotionally, mentally and financially.”
She added that Hulk, his wife, Linda, and Nick have been with the family at the hospital every day praying for John’s recovery and offering food and support.
“They came and faced our family and friends not knowing what response they would get,” said Graziano.
“Nick is experiencing every step in the process with us. His parents are holding him accountable as any good parent would,” she added. “He is a 17-year-old who is suffering watching his friend…you can imagine how he feels.”
No, Terry….the “most important thing” here is that a young man, a veteran, a Marine, someone who had served his country and who had his entire life ahead of him, was almost killed and will never live a normal life again, all due to your son’s reckless driving. A real American, fighting for the rights of every man…now, fighting for his life. Sound familiar, Hulkster?
Remember, this interview was done around a month ago. I wonder if Hulk and his wife, Linda, still think the same way, now that it is clear that John will live in a nursing home the rest of his life. I wonder if they still go to the hospital every day, and then go home to their walking, talking son, while John exists in a netherworld of not waking up yet not being asleep, of living yet not living.
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, Nick was not only speeding but racing a silver Viper (not Hulk’s, although he does own one) on a public street. As far as the media portrayal of Nick, he was shown as someone with a need for speed (in all fairness, John was also an admitted adrenaline junkie), who had been stopped for speeding numerous times and who already had four points taken off his license. Plus, the last time I checked, speeding and racing is breaking the law…therefore Hulk’s statement that his son is not “guilty of anything” rings hollow. It was an accident, yes….I’m sure that Nick did not get into his car intending to crash it into a tree and ruin his friend’s life. But the chances of that accident would have been greatly reduced, if not eliminated altogether, had he not been driving recklessly (and had they been wearing seat belts).
And just how do you hold a spoiled, indulged, rich, seventeen-year-old boy, who already has a stable of NINE cars (well, eight now), accountable? Take away his toys? Ground him from his big-screen television set? Send him to his room? I’ve never seen their reality show, but I can guess that his room has more amenities in it than most of us have in our entire house.
I have no doubt in my mind that Hulk and Linda Hogan are concerned about John, and are sorry that their son was the cause of such grievous injuries to him. But by continuing to make excuses for Nick, and insist that he did nothing wrong, they are doing their son no favors. Continuing to gloss over Nick’s personal responsibilities in the matter are doing nothing but teaching their son, yet again, that money and fame can buy your way out of trouble….just like the policemen who let Nick off with a waggle of their finger and a “no no” warning.
Hulk Hogan can try to spin it any way he wants, but I guarantee that Nick’s money didn’t buy those nine cars. Nick’s money didn’t mod them up. Nick’s money didn’t trick out his rides. He was allowed time and time again, even after law enforcement took points off his license, to return to the streets in these hopped-up machines. And the parents in charge of trying to teach him right from wrong instead only taught him that the rules don’t apply if you’re young, rich, and fast.
You know who needs to hold him accountable now? The long arm of the law. And hopefully there are some judges in Florida with big enough cajones to do just that.
When I first started driving, my dad gave me a piece of advice that I’ve never forgotten: “You can fix cars, you can replace cars, but there’s only one you, and I can never replace you.” Nick and his daddy can fix or replace his car. But this young man ruined another young man’s life, forever, through his insolence and arrogance and negligence. There’s nothing he can do that can give John back all that he has lost….they can never give John Graziano and his family his old life back. Nick needs to be held accountable.
And that’s the bottom line.
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Nick Bolea absolutely needs to be held accountable for his actions that August night. This is so tragic and my heartfelt prayer goes out to the Graziano family.
Comment by A Florida resident — October 10, 2007 @ 9:26 am
Nick needs to be watched! In that show all they do is watch their Daughter but what they need to do is watch their Son! Their son needs a GPS System in his car so you can see where he is not their Daughter!
I’m not saying he should go to Jail but he should be punished!
Comment by saz — October 10, 2007 @ 10:35 am
I am saying he should go to jail. Teen drivers make a deadly combination. Anytime you combine speed, several thousand pounds of steel and the stupidity of immortality you have dire consequences. I feel sorry for John and his family. Especially his family.
Comment by Dawn — October 10, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
[...] k wrote a fantastic post today on “Nick Hogan’s Passenger Will Need Lifelong Care, Hulk Rushes To His …”Here’s ONLY a quick extractJohn Graziano, who was injured in an accident in a car driven by Nick Hogan (or Nick Bollea, whatever he wants to be called today), is on total life support and will need care for the rest of his life: … [...]
Pingback by www.cellulitediary.info » Nick Hogan’s Passenger Will Need Lifelong Care, Hulk Rushes To His … — October 10, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
I think more so than anyone that Nick should be punished for what he has done. But better yet, I would like him to sit down and talk with the man who is responsible for the death of my sister. She was riding with him when he topped a hill doing 85 in a 35. He lost control and flipped the truck. He walked away with cuts and bruises and she was pronounced dead at the scene. I just wonder what will it take for teenagers to learn that SPEED KILLS. But considering that we are talking about a “celebrity” I doubt very seriously that he will be punished.Terry and Linda have already hired lawyers and everything. As we all know there is justice for the rich and justice for the poor. I am so amazed however, that the Hulk has done nothing but make excuses for his son. Both Linda and Terry are also to blame for their sons actions. He is a spoiled rotten brat who thinks he is above the law and has stated so many times. If they had stepped up to the plate and taken those car keys this accident might have never happened. In my opinion they should also be held accountable. I wonder if the situation was reversed and Nick was critically injured if they would act the same way. I’m sure they would have already sued and filed charges on behalf of their son. This was no accident. Nick made a concious decision to act like a jackass and now he has ruined the life of another. We all take drivers ED and we all know that speeding will kill you. I don’t feel sorry for Nick but my heart goes out to John’s family. And as for Linda and Terry, they need to stop being in denial and realize the severity of what their son has done. As for the police officers who refused to ticket this young punk, I hope you all get your asses fired!
Comment by Laura Debty — October 11, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
excellent write up. nick and his family are totally responsible as well as the other driver. i wonder if nick still wants to pursue dream of being a professional driver. its a sad situation and i hope that justice is served.
Comment by chi — October 12, 2007 @ 1:22 am
This situation as a whole is very sad. I will begin by saying that YES i do agree that Nick has an issue with SPEEDING and it does need to be addressed and delt with. It is a very unfortunate ending of how Johns health is today. The sufferring that Johns family has endured along with the Hogans. My heart goes out to John, his family and yes, Nick and his Family. Lets not forget one main fact in this equasion. When the three young men began to race, I can gaurantee you that when the decision was made to drive fast and race (if that is factual) that all the boys were smiling, laughing, and having fun. I do recall i read an article maybe somewhere in this one that John as well is a speed junkie, so here you have three friends who set out to have crazy fun (although dangerous) though they are not thinking of the danger their just thinking of the speed and fun “their going to have”. But unfortunatly thats not how their evening ended, they got tragedy instead. WE ALL have done something stupid and/or dangerous (different degrees)in our lives. The difference between us and them is maybe our dumb,and risky decisions did not end in such tragedy other than of course Laura Debty above in her comment re:her sister. “I am soo sorry for your loss.” I will say i’m a Christian and i beleive in MIRACLES and i do know that the God I serve is still in the business of “Miracles”. I believe it cuz I saw God spare my life and the lives of my two year old and 2mo. old along with a friend in a car on the freeway. quickly: my friend went into a seizure while driving on the freeway (4 lanes) heavy traffic. I cried out to God claiming the name of Jesus and he gave me control of the wheel (after trying and was unable) i steered with out looking around for other cars (moments before surrounded by cars on all sides)I sware HE stopped the car while my friend was still having a siezure. My purpose for sharing that information to say what may look grim for John, God can work miracles like he did in mine. As i said, God is still in the miracle working business. It may seem impossible to us but not to God. So i have been and will continue to pray for Johns miracle.
Comment by Rochelle — October 13, 2007 @ 2:13 am
I agree with you chi….very well written. This is not about folks as a whole ganging up on the Bollea family. This is about the stupidity of a mother and father who have over indulged a son who they knew was wreckless in his behavior behind the wheel. This so called accident never needed to happen but it has and a 22 year old man and his loved ones will never be the same. Terry and Linda Bollea are completely responsible for their sons actions as he is still a minor. The cops who just gave him a warning and sent him on his way to continue to speed are responsible. I am so angry over this and not because it is Nick Bollea…I am angry because I have seen people on life support from horrendous wrecks like this one. I have seen the agony of the families and the worse agony when they have to make a decision no parent should ever have to make….to pull the plug or keep their loved one alive artificially got God knows how long. People have to be held accountable for their actions whether they are a celebrity or not. I agree that alot of teens feel invincible and have the thought it can never happen to me. Well it does…Nick Bollea has this to live with now. A hell of a thing to carry for the rest of his life. I sure wouldn’t want this on my shoulders. I can only imagine what is going through his parents minds. It is a relief that they all have finally stopped posting their ignorant assessments of John’s condition. that was so uncalled for. The Graziano family is already divided over their loved one and this will become another Shiavo case. I cared for residents in nursing homes for many years and it is heartbreaking…to go to work everyday and see people wasting away and watch their loved ones hoping against all hope for complete recoverys or hoping for an end of their loved ones suffering. No Terry, Linda and Nick Bollea have to be held accountable for this tragedy and not because they are the “Hogan’s” but because they are just another family, maybe not like yours or mine but a family who continued to allow a 17 year old access to cars when he had no business driving. I pray for the Graziano’s and for justice in this case and every other case where a human beings life is ruined due to wreckless driving and excessive speeding.
Comment by another mother — October 16, 2007 @ 9:22 am
I am not agree that Nick have to go to jail…
enough to suspend his Driver License till he
is 21… Also, is not body problem how many cars
they own… they work very hard to have what they have today…I am agree that the cops are responsible
too… If I got a ticket for drive 58 miles instead
45 why he can get away the same day with 3 violations?
Also, Graziano is responsable for not wearing a seat
bell… I AM IMPARTIAL!
Comment by M — October 27, 2007 @ 7:39 am
anyone showing any sympathy for the hogan family here needs a reality check.
that spoiled little punk needs to be put away for a long time and should never have the priveledge of driving a car again. but, the real villain here in hulk. WTF were you thinking man!?!?!? Don’t you remember being 17? 17 year olds do dumb things. I did dumb things at that age. Thank god nobody gave me an 800 hp bomb to do it in.
Were I a parent of graziano, I would sue the hulkster for all he is worth and see to it that his brat spent as long a time as possible in jail. I am normally not a sue happy type of person, but, in this case it is justified. That kid’s life is ruined because a grown man allowed his little boy to play with an extremely dangerous toy, even after he had been repeatedly pulled over and ticketed.
Wasn’t racing my ass.
I hope this tortures you right to your grave, hulk. It is one of the dumbest htings a parent has ever done. Shit like this makes me glad I grew up poor.
Comment by pete — October 27, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
#10:
That is one of the best things I’ve ever read and sums up the situation perfectly.
Unfortunately, when certain people come into money, their brains and common sense go straight in the dumper. With your permission I’m going to use that phrase, “Makes me glad I grew up poor,” in the future when something like this makes the news.
Comment by k — October 27, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Nick messed up, thats his fault, you shouldn’t go around accusing Terry of anything, except for defending family. This is insanely objective and I feel I’ve wasted my time trying to figure out what your poor grammar and spelling are even saying.
Comment by f u — December 30, 2007 @ 9:09 am
NICK HAS TO LIVE THE REST OF HIS LIFE WITH THIS I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE JUST WONT LEAVE THE HOGANS ALONE.I FEEL SRY FOR BOTH FAMILYS AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO GO THRU AND JOHNS FAMILY IS IN IT FOR THE MONEY.I HOPE IF JOHN DOES GET MONEY FOR HIS CARE THAT IT IS PUT INTO A TRUST FOR HIS CARE AND ONLY FOR HIM AND THE FAMILY SHOULDNT BE ABLE TO TOUCH IT.IN THIS DAY AND AGE THATS WHAT ALOT OF PEOPLE THINK ABOUT IS SUE SUE SUE SOMEONE .NICK DIDNT MEAN TO HURT HIS BEST FRIEND
Comment by dora — May 9, 2008 @ 7:29 pm