Celebrity Justice
Nick Hogan Crash: A Tale of the Tape

Nick Hogan's camp is trying to turn the tide of public opinion by offering up exclusive new video shot just a few hundred feet from the sensational August 26 crash that left his former Marine buddy in a vegetative state.


The images, captured by a nearby security camera, appear to show Hogan's yellow Toyota Supra and another silver Dodge Viper, driven by pal Daniel Jacobs, stopped at a red light mere seconds before the smash-up. Then, they contend, Jacobs' ride momentarily got stuck behind a stalled car. That could contradict eyewitness reports that the Hogster and his buddy were drag racing.

Nick's attorney, Kevin Hayslett, spoke exclusively to TMZ and told us exactly what he thinks the video proves.

"This video is so important," Hayslett says, "because there are people that law enforcement relied upon who said that Nick was driving a particular way on this particular stretch of road. They are claiming that he was speeding during that time period, driving recklessly, losing control of his car. One witness even claims he got to the intersection on Missouri Avenue and Court Street and had to slam on his brakes and nearly went into oncoming traffic.

The allegation of street racing is totally inconsistent with the video. If there is any race going on, even if the Viper was in a race, Nick wouldn't know he was in it because he was so far ahead. That videotape is a complete 180 from what people claim happened and if they are wrong on that, how can we be sure they are right on other things?

I think eyewitness testimony is the least reliable. That's why we have instant replay in football."

Reader Comments

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76. Once Marine ALWAYS A MARINE

Posted at 8:21PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Just a thought

77. So what if the Marine wasn't wearing his seatbelt? Nick, should have been a RESPONSIBLE driver (and FRIEND) and told him that he wasn't going to start the car until he did put his seatbelt on. That's what I do with my friends.

Posted at 9:31PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Alex

78. Hard to fathom that someone can be so dimwitted to ask "what would Jon want!" Jon would want his life back, nitwit. Jon has paid a high price for a small crime, so shouldn't Nick pay as well? My kid and I used to love Hulk, but this is just shameful behavior. Take your punches Nick....do the time.....

Posted at 8:26PM on Nov 8th 2007 by AriesMom

79. Does anyone know if Hulk has called Vince McMahon and asked for his old job back?

Posted at 8:42PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Dixie

80. Out of respect for the injured boy, the Hogan family should shut their mouths. Not only will they save face, they might lose weight too.

These are the most egotistical people on the planet. I have yet to hear any member of the family show sincere remorse. Neither have I seen or heard that their son has been reprimanded in any way. In fact, quite contrary...the boy has let the world know that he is working on getting his "racing career" back on track.

If this were my son, he would no longer have a car to drive. And he would certainly have to put any thoughts of car racing on a very long holding pattern. One boy gave up his life, the Hogan boy can give up a sport. I hope this kid gets booed out of every track he ever goes to. And Nick deserves to get his life back on the same day as his bedridden victim does.

The Hogan's are egotistical maniacs.

Posted at 9:01PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Rocky

81. Yeah, I agree. The tape doesn't DISprove that Nick was racing. The end of that clip sure looked to me like he was setting up for a drag race when the light turned green.

Nick's still a 'tard. His father is still a clueless 'roid head. His mother is still a trashy tramp. And his sister is still a man.

Posted at 9:21PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Ya Think?

82. Uhhhhh Nooooo..... Not even a good attempt at spin . . . There is another light at the next block and the accident happens about a mile further down the road. Nick very possibly got caught at the next light and his buddy caught up to him. They were racing, Nick always races on public streets and has numerous tickets for excessive speed and reckless driving. This is another attempt at trying to buy justice. BE MAD, BE MAD THAT IF THIS WERE YOU OR ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY JUSTICE LIKE THE HOGANS ARE TRYING TO DO. NICK HOGAN needs to rott his weak ass in jail.. make him stay in prison until his freind gets better. If he never gets better, Nick should never get out.... AN EYE FOR AN EYE HOGANS.... I HOPE YOU GET SUED FOR EVERY PENNY YOU HAVE... Your children are reckless, spoiled, irresponsible and it all falls back on you and your parenting of these two idiots....

Posted at 1:59PM on Nov 9th 2007 by Lisa

83. When this accident happened, like JUST after it happened, photos were taken of the accident scene. You TMZ yourself posted them. It was night time in the origianl photo's.

Posted at 10:03PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Serena

84. What's really sad is that his friend survived Iraq to come home and be in a coma because of this dumbass kid. Not only was he reckless but under the influence as well. It's a shame that instead of making him pay for his extremely poor judgement they are trying to get him off. Unfortunately though I have been involved in a courthouse in Florida and if all the other cases I have seen are like this one he'll be able to plead to something less. In 1 day I saw 8 out of 10 DUI get to plead to lesser charges, some with injuries.

Posted at 9:51PM on Nov 8th 2007 by lil man

85. For you idiots who keep pointing out that the passenger wasn't wearing his seatbelt- it's the responsibility of the DRIVER to make sure EVERYONE wears a belt. If not, the driver is not supposed to take that passenger anywhere.

Posted at 9:59PM on Nov 8th 2007 by xxx

86. Let's not forget these guys are friends. This wasn't intentional.
Sounds to me like the lack of the seatbelt did made things worse after all Nick was in the same car. Kids don't have any room for error these days. That makes me sad. This is just an accident with a famous kid involved. Would this even be a blog if it were anyone else? I would hate to rest my kid's fate on eye witness testimony. I wonder how many people came forward when they found out it was the Hulks kid. The video makes me wonder???

Posted at 3:54PM on Nov 9th 2007 by Mermaid

87. Dear TMZ,

Do you need an additional editor for these articles? Because I find pretty basic errors in about half of them, and it seems unnecessary. You could probably resolve this with a quick glance at the items before they're put on the site.

Posted at 10:26PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Darcy Darlin

88.
Nick Hogan could have been drag racing alone for a few, not knowing his pal was caught behind a car, This is getting sick. He was drinking and raceing period!
The lawyers for the Hogan family are not going to change public opinion, Their client has had to much of a negative driving history.
Each time they come out and attempt to blame the victim or reduce responsibility I only get more angry at the insensitivity.

Posted at 10:46PM on Nov 8th 2007 by Jess

89. I'd love if this went to a jury and I was on it.

So Long Nick the functional retard.

Posted at 10:51PM on Nov 8th 2007 by FlBiker

90. Hogans are trash. They should promote no speeding and racing. How many tickets did their son have in less then 1 year. Passing the buck....typical.

Posted at 2:54AM on Nov 9th 2007 by tara

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