Local News
Bollea Released From Pinellas Jail After 166 Days
TBO.com
Published: October 21, 2008
The son of wrestler Hulk Hogan is out of jail this morning.Published: October 21, 2008
Nick Bollea walked out of the Pinellas County Jail about 12:30 a.m. today. He served 166 days of his eight-month sentence given as punishment after he pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge.
The 18-year-old had nothing to say as photographers snapped pictures of him leaving the jail.
His sister, Brooke, ran up and hugged him before the two got into a sport utility vehicle and drove home.
Bollea's mother, Linda Bollea, released a statement shortly before 7:30 a.m. today asking for privacy.
"This is our time as a family to come together to support Nick's adjustment back into the public life keeping it as normal as possible. Neither Nick, nor we as a family, has any interest in making this anything but private. We respect the media's role and only ask that they respect our privacy.
"Nick went into prison as a juvenile and has experienced something that will mold and affect him for the rest of his adult life. His focus is to make a positive difference in this world, media free. Since his future actions will speak louder than any words, there is no need to speak to the media at this time," the statement says.
In August 2007, police say Bollea was street racing in Clearwater, lost control of his car and severely injured his friend and passenger, John Graziano.
Bollea was driving a yellow Toyota Supra owned by his father, and Graziano was in the passenger seat when police say it fishtailed across a median and hit a palm tree. Graziano wasn't wearing a seat belt, police say.
Graziano, a former Marine, remains hospitalized and will need medical care for the rest of his life.
In March, Graziano's guardian sued the Bolleas for alleged negligence leading to the car crash. Attorney George Tragos says a recent attempt at mediation failed.
Bollea has said he wanted his own reality television show after appearing on the his father's reality show, "Hogan Knows Best."
Tragos says the Graziano family feels the Hogans are exploiting Nick's friend.
"It's awful Nick is going to get a reality show because he went to jail because of the permanent harm he caused another human being," Tragos said.