Viper driver in Nick Bollea crash sentenced

Baynews9.com
Thursday, February 28, 2008

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The driver of a silver Dodge Viper some witnesses say was racing Nick Bollea's Toyota Supra the night he crashed into a palm tree last August pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge.

Nick Bollea is the son of former pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan.

Daniel Jacobs, 22, appeared in a Clearwater courtroom Thursday.

A judge sentenced him to 90 days probation and 25 hours of community service. He also lost his license for 90 days and has to pay a $500 fine.

Jacobs admitted to driving Hulk Hogan's Viper but did not admit to racing.

Bollea's passenger in the car and good friend, John Graziano, was seriously injured in the Aug. 26 crash in Clearwater. Graziano remains in a coma with severe brain damage.

At Jacobs' hearing, the assistant state attorney prosecuting the case, Scott Rosenwasser, announced for the first time how fast their speed expert said Jacobs and Bollea were driving that night.

The expert said Bollea was going 69 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone, and Jacobs was going more than 70.

Jacob's attorney, Nat Kidder, added his client never admitted he was racing that night. But 10 witnesses said he was.

Prosecutors have the 911 calls to back that up.

Jacobs did not apologize in court for the crash.

"I don't think remorse is the proper word because I don't think he feels like he contributed directly to John's injury," Kidder said. "John was a friend of his, remains a friend of his, he's concerned about John's recovery, he's hopeful for the best."

The State Attorney said the reason Jacobs did not receive jail time is because the judge took into consideration Jacobs not having a criminal record. The judge also told Jacobs his real punishment is having to live knowing what he and Bollea did to their best friend.

Graziano's attorney said he's glad Jacobs was declared guilty because it will stay on Jacobs' permanent record.

As for the experts' new speed estimate, Bollea's attorney said accident reconstruction is not an exact science.

Bollea, 17, is facing a more serious charge; reckless driving with serious bodily injury, a felony.

Last week a judge hearing Bollea's reckless driving case ordered a pre-plea sentence investigation.

While his attorney, Kevin Hayslett, didn't rule out the possibility of a plea, he assured the investigation is routine for cases involving young defendants.

Hayslett said Bollea may be able to get his license back next week. Hayslett said at a recent DMV hearing they found Clearwater police illegally took Bollea's blood.

His license had been suspended for a year because he's a minor and had alcohol in his system while he was driving. His blood alcohol level was .04 at the time of the crash, which is below the DUI legal limit of .08.

Bollea is due back in court April 14.

Mrs. Bollea and her estranged husband, Terry Bollea, a.k.a. Hulk Hogan, are getting divorced.