Father Of Crash Victim Arrested

By RAY REYES The Tampa Tribune

Published: Sep 1, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Edward Graziano entered Bayfront Medical Center on Friday afternoon to see his son, who lay in critical condition in the hospital's intensive care ward.

Several hours later, Graziano was arrested and taken to jail.

Police say Graziano, 52, the father of the man who was injured in a car wreck involving Hulk Hogan's son, violated a domestic violence injunction served against him by his wife, Debra.

Friction between family members began Thursday when Graziano first visited his son, John Graziano, 22, at Bayfront Medical Center, said St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt.

John Graziano was injured Sunday when a car driven by Nick Bollea, Hogan's son, spun out of control and crashed into a tree in Clearwater.

A dispute between Edward Graziano, Debra Graziano and other family members in the ICU's waiting room turned physical, Proffitt said. Edward Graziano left before police arrived.

Debra Graziano asked police to serve her husband notice of the injunction, but it had expired and could not be enforced, Proffitt said. She renewed the injunction Friday morning and it was in effect by the time Edward Graziano returned to the hospital at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Proffitt said.

Police found Graziano at the Vinoy Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg several hours later and arrested him on a charge of violating the new domestic violence injunction his wife filed Friday.

He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail. Bail information was not available late Friday.

Jail records show that on June 21, Graziano, of 1225 Curlew Road, Dunedin, was charged with domestic battery, battery on a law enforcement officer and tampering with a witness. He was released from jail June 23 after posting bail.

The charges were still pending Friday.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.