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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 7 of 12) Previous 15 Comments | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

91. Good luck to John's family. I have work at a sub-acute care unit and I have seen first hand how tragic this can be to the victim’s family, emotionally and financially. I wouldn't wish that kind of sorrow on anyone. They need to take into account his future care, and that will be in the millions. Sorry to hear about your difficulties poobear hope your sons are o.k. now.

Posted at 5:52PM on Mar 24th 2008 by leilani

92. ....and Graziano's parents are responsible for allowing their son to get in the car with Nick! STOP IT!! It was a accident, things happen.

Posted at 5:53PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Tiffany

93. First of all, a car is not a lethal weapon. It is a motor vehicle. Parent's are responsible in the eyes of the law because children do not typically have the money to fight battles in court. We can say that parent's should be more aware of their kids actions, but let's be honest, do we really think that we can stop every possible scenario? If the kid wasn't drinking is it still a problem? Should parent's be required to lock up all alcohol unless it is being currently consumed by adults? I bet every kitchen in this country has a set of knives. Should I be sued if my teen goes nuts and kills a kid with my kitchen cutlery? If so, why don't I read about these things more often? I'm sure someone's steak knives have been used against their knowledge by someone not in their control before? Why aren't their lawsuits all over the place for these types of incidents? If the Hogan's didn't have money this suit would probably not happen. This should really be a lesson to those that have a little bit of money. Protect it to the best of your ability, because someone is out there that wants it. Just pray your kids don't make any bad decisions. BTW.. the type of car didn't matter, you can get killed in any vehicle.. I see moron's driving Festiva's that have no business going above 50 on the highway, yet they tear down the road on 12" rims with horrible tires doing 80.. The car is not to blame, only the driver.

Posted at 11:40AM on Mar 25th 2008 by stupizdoez

94. I can't believe that some people are bringing up the seatbelt issue. It has been proven, the type of injury Jonh suffered, A SEATBELT WOULD NOT HAVE SAVED HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 6:07PM on Mar 24th 2008 by hello, it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

95. Good for them I hope they get what they need to care for their son.

Posted at 6:08PM on Mar 24th 2008 by growl

96. Of course they are suing the "Hogan's" have money. If Nick was from a poor family would they sue them? I doubt it! It is sad for family of the this young kid who was hurt so badly. But at the same time should Nick's parent have to pay if there son made a mistake. Nick should alone be responsible! Though the other kid was not forced into the car against his will it is only fair that Nick should cover all Medical and any other expenses he would have.

Posted at 7:07PM on Mar 24th 2008 by mother05

97. PUT HIS ASS IN JAIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF MY SON LOOKED LIKE HIM IN THAT PICTURE I WOULD BEAT HIM FIRST AND THEN DISOWN HIM OMG ,,I GUESS NICK WILL BE FAMOUS NOW ,,IN JAIL , WHO WOULD EVER WANT ANYTHING TO WITH THEM ,, WHY DID THEY ALLWAYS LET HIM GO ,,AS SHOWN IN THE SHOW WE ALL SEE THAT HE CAN NOT DRIVE A CAR TO SAVE HIS LIFE ,,,,,LOOK AT HIS SUPRA ,,,, MAYBE NICK WILL SUE JOHN NEXT ,, I HOPE THIS WILL COST YOU DEARLY NICK ,,HOPE YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY LEFT FOR A PERMIT AND DRIVING LESSONS ,,GUESS YOU WONT BE DRIVING A VIPER ANYTIME SOON ,,,

Posted at 6:12PM on Mar 24th 2008 by T-JAM

98. Have you seen the pictures of the car, it's a wonder that they both weren't killed. The Hogan family should pay up and count their blessing that their son is still alive.

Posted at 6:12PM on Mar 24th 2008 by madmax

99. This was not an accident, this was an inveitable event.
I too hope the family gets the compensation they need to care for their son. He is a 3 on the Glasgow Coma Scale.

Posted at 6:12PM on Mar 24th 2008 by FlBiker

100. To Poobear.. Didn't you know by the time your kids were driving age that the streets are a dangerous place? Yet you let your children drive on a road shared by countless morons who could take your life in a split second. I blame you and others like you who think that the roads are a safe place to be. You allowed them to be a dangerous and life threatening situation and when it almost happens you get upset? Thousands die each year on our beloved highways. What makes it different for you or any other? The law should be held accountable for each time they allow a citizen to drive after such a citizen breaks a motor vehicle law. The courts, and PA's, even the cops should be sued everytime an offender repeats a driving crime. That would help a little, save those that kill the first time they do something wrong. To all the carebears out there that believe in some type of utopian society, they don't exist. Accidents happen to morons and great drivers alike. The driver ONLY is to blame.

Posted at 11:40AM on Mar 25th 2008 by poohooo

101. Isn't it the driver’s responsibility to make sure the person in the passenger side has their seat belt on? I think there are too many frivolous lawsuits in this country, but I can completely understand this one. I wonder if the Hogan’s will still be making those hospital visits.

Posted at 6:22PM on Mar 24th 2008 by emme

102. #95J

Are you like 9 years old? You couldn't possibly be that ignorant, could you.

Posted at 6:24PM on Mar 24th 2008 by FlBiker

103. 51. I think they are suing out of greed. What is health insurance. He was military so you know his medical is taken care of . They just want to make sure they are taken care of . I have no respect for this family. Not to mention the kid knew how Nick drove but still got in the car with him time after time. Truth be told he was probably cheering him on to go faster.

Posted at 4:07PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Amber

You are kidding with this post, aren't you?

Posted at 6:26PM on Mar 24th 2008 by hello, it\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

104. I want #97, real bad. He is smart.

Posted at 6:26PM on Mar 24th 2008 by smartypants

105. his show used to be very good, but why did they get divorced in the first place?

Posted at 6:33PM on Mar 24th 2008 by jimmy

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