Should parents be held responsible for their child’s actions? Are celebrities unfairly targeted as easy people to sue and make a quick buck? Questions such as these have surfaced after Monday’s announcement that Hulk Hogan is being sued over his son’s car accident that occurred last year. On Aug. 26, Hogan’s 17-year-old son, Nick Bollea, crashed his Toyota Supra into a palm tree and critically injured his passenger and friend John Graziano. It has been confirmed that John, 23, was not wearing a seatbelt, and that the two were street racing.
Immediately following the incident, Nick was charged with reckless driving involving serious bodily injury, but no trial date has been set. In response to the criminal charges, Hogan’s lawyer made the following statement: “Nick and the entire ‘Hogan’ Bollea family are saddened that criminal charges have been filed in regards to the tragic single car accident on August 26, 2007. The family’s primary focus and concern still remains for the continued recovery of Nick’s longtime friend John Graziano. The Bolleas will also continue to stand by the Graziano family and help them in any way they can.”
Ironically, only 7 months after Hogan considerately said that he would “stand by the Graziano family and help them,” the Grazianos sued Hogan for millions. According to Graziano’s lawyer, Hogan is responsible for the crash because he knew that his son Nick liked to speed and race and did nothing about it. Because of Hogan’s irresponsible parenting, Jon Graziano ”never will be fully the John he was before.” John will require nursing home care for the remainder of his life.
The entire situation is sad and unfortunate, but I do not believe that Hulk Hogan is in any way responsible. The individual responsible for the crash is Hogan’s son, Nick who was driving recklessly on a wet road. If I were his publicist, I would encourage Hogan to make a public statement again expressing his sorrow and support for the Graziano family. I would then encourage him to make a large donation in Jon Graziano’s name to the “Click It or Ticket”campaign. Not only would this be a nice gesture toward the Grazianos, but it would also give Hogan some very positive publicity.
