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Celebrity Justice
Crash Victim to Hogans: You're Responsible

Posted Mar 24th 2008 2:05PM by TMZ Staff

The family of John Graziano, the man injured in Nick Hogan's August 2007 street racing crash, has filed suit against Hulk, Linda and Nick Hogan alleging they were negligent and are directly liable for the wreck that seriously injured the former Marine.
Click to read documents!
According to court papers filed today in Pinellas County, Fla. Circuit Court by Graziano's court-appointed guardian Peter Musante, Hulk and Linda (whose real names are Terry and Linda Bollea) should be held legally responsible for their son's accident.

In the suit, Musante alleges that Nick negligently operated his Toyota Supra by racing another man in a Dodge Viper, a car also owned by Hulk. The suit claims the Bolleas were aware of Nick's need for speed and knew that he had souped-up his vehicle for the purpose of racing.

Launch photosIn the suit, Musante also says Hulk purchased alcohol the day of the accident -- August 26 -- and that Hulk "knew or should have known" Nick was driving under the influence of the crash and he failed to take appropriate action.

The lawsuit also names Daniel Jacobs, who was driving the Viper that night, as a co-defendant. He pleaded no contest to reckless driving last month.

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(Page 5 of 12) Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. Amber- you are as stupid as Nick!!!! do you really think the military should be responsible for medical bills due to a couple of drunk punk asses?? They don;t even take care of the brave men and women getting shot up every friggin day over there..

And why should the poor guys insureance be responsible for a spoiled brat's foolishness.. shame on the state too, Nick should of been arrested a loooooong time ago

Posted at 4:28PM on Mar 24th 2008 by jenbob2

62. amber just because he is a veteran doesn't mean that medically he is being taken care of ...... get educated. there are several men and women coming home that are drowning in debt dut to medical bill and such, whether it be physical or mental.... that is what tmz should be doing a story on not these dumba#$ celebrities, I am tired of turning on the news and it not being about what is going on in this world and is all about celebrities, thanks but no thanks.... if i want celeb news i will come here...

Posted at 4:28PM on Mar 24th 2008 by soonergirl

63. John Graziano is an adult that knew the consequence of getting into a car with someone under the influence that races cars. His mistake to get in the car. He should have thought about it before he got in the car. Nick Bollea shold face responsibility for driving under the influence and for excess speed. Everyone involved made the error not just the drivers.

Posted at 6:13PM on Mar 24th 2008 by J

64. Yes, his parents should be held liable. They encouraged his racing...just watch their VH1 show. They knew he was drinking underage and I would bet they gave him the alcohol on many occasions. Both of these kids are out of control and it's their parents fault.

Posted at 4:31PM on Mar 24th 2008 by llf

65. Nick seems to be functionally retarded, Slow wit, poor communication skills with others, poor motor skills, poor judgment skills, lack of knowledge and also was unable to complete high school in Florida of all places.
He had 3 major speeding tickets in less than his one year of posessing a drivers license, one of them over 100 mph. How did his parents respond to Nicks poor judgement, they purchased him a 650hp+ supra, and alcohol, lent another teenager a v-10 Dodge Viper to 'cut up' Clearwater Beach. These people are clearly not rocket scientists, and I believe their behavior is more than borderline criminal negligence. The register receipt for the alcohol and the store video survillance showing Hulk with Nick carrying out the alcohol will be a nail in their legal coffin. The video of Linda drunk and bragging about street racing will also come into play.

Posted at 4:32PM on Mar 24th 2008 by FlBiker

66. It is both of their fault. You don't think that his friend knew that Nick liked to race. Nick's friend would have had a chance to say "Hey, I will watch you race from the side of the road" though he rode with him AND did not buckle up when he KNEW that Nick was going to race the other kid. Oh, and I am sure he was drinking too. So, I think everyone needs to blame both of them because he could have buckled up, could have got out, could have not got in the car when he knew Nick was drinking!!!!!! HELLO!!!

Posted at 4:32PM on Mar 24th 2008 by BothOfTheirFault

67. Anyone who thinks that a child's every action can be completely controlled by a parent is a MORON. They're not robots. Nick was driving. Nick's responsible. End of story.

Posted at 4:38PM on Mar 24th 2008 by JJ

68. Number 61 is correct - this kid counldn't finish school.

Posted at 4:43PM on Mar 24th 2008 by CH

69. If you have a semi literate child that is incapable of making adult decisons, it is your responsibility to limit the damage he can commit. You certainly don't buy him a race car and alcohol.

Posted at 4:48PM on Mar 24th 2008 by FlBiker

70. Thank goodness this case will be held in Florida....if it was in LA, Nick would get off in a heart beat!

Posted at 4:53PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Bob Loblaw

71. Ok... so he knew Nick was drinking.... he knew he was getting into a suped car... im sure he was forced in the car and im sure he was forced not to wear a seat belt... im sure these kids raced numerous times before... Why is it no one takes responsibility for themselves. If I go out and drink and drive and hit a light post and become paralized I should sue the city of Dallas for putting hte light post there... God forbid I'm not resposible for any of that!! Just the typical... take the rich people for what they have. HOW PATHETIC!

Posted at 4:55PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Meanse

72. HERE I THOUGHT NICK WAS DRIVING THE CAR. I DON'T SEE HOW THE REST OF THE FAMILY WAS RESPONSIBLE. THE GREEDY GOLD DIGGING IDIOT IS JUST LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PAY, EVEN IF THEY WERE NOT EVEN THERE. ONCE NICK GOT HIS LICENCE HE IS ON HIS OWN. I HOPE THIS FRIVOLOUS WASTE OF TIME IS THROWN OUT AND THAT IDIOT GRAZIANO IS CHARGED

Posted at 4:57PM on Mar 24th 2008 by FASTERTHANLITE

73. Florida courts can be harsh. I would go for a change of venue if I was the Bollea's, Broward or Dade county.
Too many people on Fl west coast hate them.

Posted at 4:56PM on Mar 24th 2008 by FlBiker

74. This was a horrible tragedy. However, this was not a child, it was a grown man. A grown man who was allegedly the best friend of the person driving. Now, if we all know that Nick parties and drives fast...I think it's safe to assume that the young man who was a close friend of his was aware of this as well. As an adult this young man was responsible for his own actions also, unfortunately he made a bad choice and it's a terrible shame that he is suffering as a result.

Posted at 5:11PM on Mar 24th 2008 by mmmkohio

75. "30. THIS IS AN AWFUL STORY, ONE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, NICK SHOULD NOT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM HAVE BEEN DRIVING SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.
Posted at 3:04PM on Mar 24th 2008 by BOB"

um, so if this was a CHEAP car it would be ok??? HUH????

Wow, the Hogans ALL suck, they believe they are better then everyone else and they are getting what they deserve ie..daughters a HO, divorce, HUGE settlement will follow soon and lastly HOPEFULLY jail time for nick!

HOORAY!!!!

Posted at 4:59PM on Mar 24th 2008 by VAL

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