Passenger's mom in Hogan crash hires lawyer

By Tamara El-Khoury
September 11, 2007

The mother of a young man injured in a car crash involving Nick Bollea, the son of famed professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, has hired a lawyer.

Clearwater lawyer George Tragos said he represents Debbie Graziano, the mother of 22-year-old John Graziano, who has been in critical condition since the Aug. 26 wreck.

Tragos said he is primarily representing Graziano in her legal fight with her husband, Ed Graziano, who was arrested on a charge of violating a domestic protective order when he entered the same hospital room as his wife.

John Graziano, a U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, suffered a severe head injury during the crash. He was the passenger in Bollea's Toyota Supra when Bollea lost control and rammed into a palm tree. Clearwater police said speed was a factor in the accident but have not filed charges. Witnesses said they saw Bollea racing against a silver Dodge Viper moments before the crash.

On Monday, the Bollea family hired noted Tampa lawyer Barry Cohen. Cohen also represented Jennifer Porter, a schoolteacher who hit four siblings crossing a dark Tampa street, killing two. Porter, who left the scene of the crash, was not sentenced to jail.