Hulk Hogan's son Nick's fresh DUI arrest opens old wounds of 2007 crash victim left in a vegetative state
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA: Nick Hogan, the son of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, was arrested on Saturday morning, November 18, for driving under the influence.
He was arrested in Clearwater, Florida, the same city where he was involved in a horrific car crash 16 years ago that left his friend John Graziano with permanent brain damage.
Nick Hogan was taken into custody after refusing a sobriety test
According to TMZ, Nick, 33, was taken into custody after he allegedly refused to take a sobriety test. He was charged with a misdemeanor and has not been released from custody yet.
The night before, Nick had reportedly posted on Instagram that he was going to a bikini contest at his father’s restaurant, Hulk’s Hangout, on Clearwater Beach.
The DUI arrest comes 16 years after Nick’s tragic accident in 2007 when he was just 17 years old.
Nick Hogan’s 2007 car crash that changed his and John Graziano’s life
He was speeding in his yellow Toyota Supra with his best friend John Graziano, then 22, and his brother in the passenger seat when he lost control of the car and hit a palm tree.
Nick suffered minor injuries, but John, a former US Marine, sustained a broken skull and other severe injuries that required lifelong medical care. John was left in a vegetative state and needs 24/7 care for the rest of his life.
Nick pleaded no contest to felony reckless driving and was sentenced to eight months in prison in 2008. He also had to pay restitution to John’s family and perform community service.
At the time, Hulk told People, "[Nick] was moving through life and maybe not real appreciative of things…"
"When this happened, it totally spun him in a 180…It’s the best thing that ever happened to him. I’m not saying it’s a good thing. But it happened for a reason," he added.
However, Hulk’s son was released from prison after serving around six months due to good behavior. Graziano’s family later sued the Hogans, as per TMZ, and the lawsuit was settled out of court.
Debra Graziano slams Nick Hogan for his latest DUI arrest
Debra Graziano, John’s mother, told TMZ that Nick’s new arrest shows that he has not learned from his past mistake and that he still drives recklessly. She said that Nick’s 2007 crash should be considered in his current case and that she hopes no one else gets hurt by him.
"I can only pray that at some point in his life, while he still has the chance, that he turns his life around. Until then I hope no one else gets hurt," she said, according to TMZ.
She also revealed the daily pain of caring for her son, who was left in a vegetative state after the crash. "I grieve the virtual loss of my son on a daily basis. I thank God daily that at least I have John here with us at home," she said.
Nick Hogan is the youngest child and only son of Hulk Hogan and his ex-wife Linda.