Roughly 16 years ago, Nick Hogan, son of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, was involved in a horrible car accident that left a man injured for life. Now, Hogan is in the news again for another incident on the road.
What did Hogan do, and what is he charged with?
A Second Hogan Driving Arrest in Florida
In the early hours of Saturday, November 18, 2023, police in Clearwater, Florida, were conducting a traffic stop when a Dodge Ram began approaching them.
The officers were on the side of Gulf to Bay Boulevard when they signaled to the driver to move into the lane away from them. But the car did not adhere to their directions. According to an arrest affidavit, officers also detected that the vehicle was going 51 mph in a 40 mph zone.
The officers went after the vehicle and pulled the driver over for a violation of the Move Over law. Move Over is a Florida law that requires drivers to move over a lane (when drivers can safely do so) and slow down when approaching stopped law enforcement and maintenance vehicles with displayed warning lights.
The stop ended with Nick Hogan and a DUI.
Related: Stopped and Arrested for a DUI in Florida? Here’s What to Do Next
Nick Hogan Arrested for DUI
Nick Hogan, legal name Nicholas Bollea, was driving the Dodge Ram that drove past officers. Officers quickly suspected that the son of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan was under the influence.
According to WFLA reporting, officers said Hogan was, “swaying and unsteady, had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and had bloodshot, glassy eyes.”
After officers asked Hogan to take a breathalyzer and he refused, they conducted a field sobriety test.
He failed and was charged with driving under the influence. Hogan was taken into custody and later released on a $500 bond.
This incident is not the first time that Hogan’s driving has put him in criminal trouble.
Related: What to Expect From a First Offense DUI
A History of Reckless Driving
In 2007, Hogan faced serious criminal and civil charges after he wrecked his car in Clearwater, Florida.
When he was 17-years-old, Hogan crashed his Toyota Supra into a palm tree. According to reports, Hogan was racing with his friend who was in a Dodge Viper when he lost control.
Road conditions were poor, and Hogan fishtailed and spun across the road before hitting a palm tree. Hogan sustained minor injuries. His passenger, John Graziano, was not wearing his seatbelt and sustained serious injuries that would require him to require nursing care for the rest of his life.
Hogan was charged with reckless driving involving serious bodily injury. He was also charged with being a driver under 21 operating a vehicle with a breath-alcohol content of 0.02 percent or higher, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
At that time, Bollea pled no contest to the reckless driving charge. He was sentenced to eight months in county jail and five years of probation. It does not appear that there were any alcohol-related charges related to his sentence, which means the November 2023 DUI will be considered Hogan’s first DUI.
Hogan also faced charges in civil court for the 2007 accident. Graziano’s family sued Hogan, as well as his father Hulk Hogan, in a personal injury lawsuit. Graziano was left paralyzed and will need care for the rest of his life. The civil suit reportedly ended with a $1.5 million settlement.
Related: Types of Personal Injury Cases: Do You Have a Claim?
What Consequences Does Hogan Face?
Hogan now faces criminal charges for the recent DUI.
In Florida, there is no minimum jail time for a first-time DUI. Jail time can be up to six months for a first offense if:
- The driver had a very high BAC
- There was a passenger under 18
- Property was damaged during the incident
- Someone was injured during the incident
First offense DUIs usually involve fines. In Florida, violators can expect to pay around $500-$1,000 in fines.
Because no one was injured in the incident, Hogan will not face any potential liability for a civil lawsuit in this case.
Related: What’s the Difference Between a Civil and Criminal Case?
A DUI Is a Serious Matter. Talk to an Attorney Right Away
A DUI can lead to serious consequences. If you or a loved one have been charged with driving under the influence, talk to an attorney right away. An experienced DUI attorney can ensure that you get fair due process under the law while fighting for your rights at every step of the way.
If you have a case to review, talk to TJ Grimaldi today. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023.
TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
