thedrifter
09-05-07, 07:12 PM
Reservist hurt in Hogan crash in induced coma
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 5, 2007 18:19:37 EDT
A Marine who was injured in an automobile accident on Aug. 26 that involved Hulk Hogan’s son remains in a medically induced coma, a family member said Wednesday.
Lance Cpl. John J. Graziano, 22, of Dunedin, Fla., is in the intensive-care unit at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he is listed in critical condition, brother Michael Graziano said.
According to police and press reports, Graziano was riding in a Toyota Supra driven by Nick Bollea, 17, when the car struck a median and hit a palm tree. Witnesses said the Supra was racing another vehicle — a silver Dodge Viper — on State Road 60 in Clearwater, Fla., around 7:30 p.m. when it crashed.
Bollea is the son of retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, star of the VH-1 reality series “Hogan Knows Best.” Hogan’s real name is Terry Bollea.
Emergency personnel had to cut Bollea and Graziano from the twisted wreckage, according to reports. Bollea was transported to Bayfront following the crash but was treated and released with minor injuries.
Comas often are induced in trauma patients to reduce swelling and pressure on the brain.
Family members and friends are standing vigil at the hospital waiting for Graziano “to heal,” Michael Graziano said.
“He’s a great brother. We are all pretty numb at this point. It’s still a shock that it happened,” he said.
In an e-mail to Florida media outlets Sept. 3, Debbie Graziano, John’s mother, said Nick and John have been friends for six years. “Our family has been completely and abundantly blessed by every kind of support from our family, friends and the outreach from the community. The Bolleas are simply people in this group.”
John Graziano is a drilling reservist assigned to 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion in Tampa. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003 and completed his active-duty service earlier this year, having deployed twice to Iraq as a member of Truck Company, 2nd Marine Division, serving with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.
According to Sgt. Maj. Edgardo Guzman, the inspector/instructor staff sergeant major at 4th AAB who also served with Graziano in Iraq, the lance corporal was a hard worker, driving 7-ton trucks over dangerous terrain.
“He did his four years. He didn’t have to join the Reserves when he came home. But he walked in here and said he still wanted to serve,” Guzman said.
Police continue to investigate the incident, and no charges have been filed. Clearwater Police spokesman Wayne Shelor has said that the investigation could take weeks.
Guzman said Graziano’s unit is keeping the Marine in its thoughts and prayers.
“It’s tough when someone gets home from deployment and something like this happens. Hopefully, he’ll pull through this,” Guzman said.
Ellie
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 5, 2007 18:19:37 EDT
A Marine who was injured in an automobile accident on Aug. 26 that involved Hulk Hogan’s son remains in a medically induced coma, a family member said Wednesday.
Lance Cpl. John J. Graziano, 22, of Dunedin, Fla., is in the intensive-care unit at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he is listed in critical condition, brother Michael Graziano said.
According to police and press reports, Graziano was riding in a Toyota Supra driven by Nick Bollea, 17, when the car struck a median and hit a palm tree. Witnesses said the Supra was racing another vehicle — a silver Dodge Viper — on State Road 60 in Clearwater, Fla., around 7:30 p.m. when it crashed.
Bollea is the son of retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, star of the VH-1 reality series “Hogan Knows Best.” Hogan’s real name is Terry Bollea.
Emergency personnel had to cut Bollea and Graziano from the twisted wreckage, according to reports. Bollea was transported to Bayfront following the crash but was treated and released with minor injuries.
Comas often are induced in trauma patients to reduce swelling and pressure on the brain.
Family members and friends are standing vigil at the hospital waiting for Graziano “to heal,” Michael Graziano said.
“He’s a great brother. We are all pretty numb at this point. It’s still a shock that it happened,” he said.
In an e-mail to Florida media outlets Sept. 3, Debbie Graziano, John’s mother, said Nick and John have been friends for six years. “Our family has been completely and abundantly blessed by every kind of support from our family, friends and the outreach from the community. The Bolleas are simply people in this group.”
John Graziano is a drilling reservist assigned to 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion in Tampa. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003 and completed his active-duty service earlier this year, having deployed twice to Iraq as a member of Truck Company, 2nd Marine Division, serving with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.
According to Sgt. Maj. Edgardo Guzman, the inspector/instructor staff sergeant major at 4th AAB who also served with Graziano in Iraq, the lance corporal was a hard worker, driving 7-ton trucks over dangerous terrain.
“He did his four years. He didn’t have to join the Reserves when he came home. But he walked in here and said he still wanted to serve,” Guzman said.
Police continue to investigate the incident, and no charges have been filed. Clearwater Police spokesman Wayne Shelor has said that the investigation could take weeks.
Guzman said Graziano’s unit is keeping the Marine in its thoughts and prayers.
“It’s tough when someone gets home from deployment and something like this happens. Hopefully, he’ll pull through this,” Guzman said.
Ellie