What Happened to Hulk Hogan's Controversial Son, Nick Hogan?
What Happened to Hulk Hogan's Controversial Son, Nick Hogan?
By Ali Hammad July 29, 2024 01:31
The son of pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, Nick Hogan, born Nicholas Bollea, was also placed under the glare of public scrutiny, growing up in his father's limelight.
The 2007 Tragic Car Accident
Life changed forever for Nick Hogan during a fateful 2007 car accident. The crash happened on a wet road in Clearwater, Florida, nearly three years ago when Nick was an almost 17-year-old racing his Toyota Supra against the Dodge Viper driven by his friend.
Not wearing a seatbelt, Nick's friend, Graziano, sustained massive head injuries that resulted in a broken skull and swelling of the brain, leaving him consciously minimally responsive, having limited physical function, and requiring some degree of long-term care for life. However, Nick walked away from the accident with only minor injuries as he was wearing his seatbelt.
Consequences and Aftermath
The accident and its aftermath were a legal and emotional nightmare for the Hogan family. Prosecutors charged Nick with reckless driving involving serious bodily injury, a felony that carries up to five years in prison.
A judge handed down a sentence to Nick that included an 8-month term in county jail in May 2008, five years on probation, and having his driver's license taken away for three years. John's family also sued Nick and Hulk Hogan for the millions it would cost him over his lifetime to care for him. The Hogan family settled out of court and agreed to compensate John for his medical bills and legal fees with a $1.5 million settlement.
More Controversies and Legal Scuffles
Nick has gotten his fare share of controversies behind the wheel. He had received multiple speeding tickets and, at one time, was written up for going 115 in a 70 zone. For Nick, his release from jail only seemed to fuel the desire for speed as he got more speeding tickets and ran into even more issues with authorities.
The Hogan Effect
Hulk Hogan, who had long been a larger-than-life pro wrestling figure, saw his career brought down by those events set in motion by the actions of his own son. Their reality TV show "Hogan Knows Best" was yanked off the air soon after their son's 2007 accident, and they received intense public backlash.
The Future Remains Uncertain
The future seems ambiguous as Nick Hogan journeys through the peaks and valleys of his life. His newest DUI arrest again puts him among the headlines, questioning his ability to come full circle and learn from those past mistakes.
His actions have led to some major repercussions for the Graziano family and ongoing legal and financial fallout for Hulk's immediate family.