Hulk Hogan's Son to Serve Eight Months in Jail
May 9 2008, Published 9:19 a.m. ET
Nick Bollea, Hulk Hogan’s son, has been sentenced to eight months in jail for reckless driving, Florida’s Pinellas County Court ruled Friday.
The 17-year-old pleaded “no contest” for the August 2007 car crash that rendered his friend and passenger John Graziano comatose.
In addition to the prison term, to commence immediately, Judge Phillip Federico sentenced Nick to 500 hours of community service, five years probation (during which he must remain alcohol-free), three-year license suspension and mandatory DUI classes to be completed during the first year of probation.
Nick, who was joined in court by his father, mother, Linda, and sister Brooke, could have faced up to five years behind bars, but thanks to the plea agreement, that number was reduced. The Graziano family did ask the court for no less than one year in jail for Nick for having “destroyed my son’s future,” as John’s father, Edward, put it.
Both families spoke before the court, with Nick asking the Grazianos for forgiveness and mercy.
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"Everyday I miss being with John," Nick said. "I feel terrible. There is no court punishment that will make-up for what happened to John."
Still, "you can’t undo what happened to John," Judge Federico said.
Nick was driving a Toyota Supra with John, 22, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, in the passenger seat on Aug. 26 in Clearwater, Fla., when the car crashed into a palm tree. According to police reports, the vehicle was traveling at 60 mph – 20 above the speed limit. He was charged with reckless driving with serious bodily injury in connection.