Jacksonville Injury Lawyer Blog

A recent University of North Florida student, who was planning a career in the Navy, died Saturday after being struck on Interstate 95 in St. Johns County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Thomas M. Vance, 21, of St. Augustine died about 2 a.m. after he was hit by more than one vehicle in the southbound lanes of I-95, south of Florida 16, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Only one motorist remained at the scene after hitting Vance, who was lying in the road when he was hit by that car, according to investigators.

Family members said he had been at a nearby restaurant with friends, but left to get some air and apparently walked onto the southbound ramp to the interstate.

We have represented many people who have been hit by cars while on bicycles, mopeds and walking. Most of these injuries are catastrophic or deadly. Last year over 110,000 pedestrians were hit by cars.

The 17-year-old son of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan was sentenced to eight months in jail Friday after recently pleaded no contest to causing a crash that seriously injured his best friend.

Nick Bollea Hogan’s son had been street racing his father’s car in November when he ran into a tree seriously injuring his passenger John Graziano.

Video of Graziano in the hospital has just been released. Even though it is very hard to watch it will make many people think twice before drinking and driving or racing on public streets. We have have been involved in many Jacksonville car accident cases involving closed head injuries. I am sure that this video will be the first piece of evidence used in the civil lawsuits against Bollea and his father Hulk Hogan. Under Florida law because Hogan owned the car he may be held vicariously liable for his son causing the crash.
The impact critically injured Graziano, who now needs lifetime medical care. A former Marine who served in Iraq, Graziano was not wearing a seat belt and suffered a broken skull and other severe injuries.

Bollea, who was not seriously hurt, had alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. Authorities cited him for being a driver under 21 operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .02 percent or higher and having illegal window tinting. He will attend DUI classes and can’t drink as terms of his probation.Nick Bollea was immediately led out of court to begin his sentence. He cast a quick backward glance at his family, then his tie and belt were removed before he was taken to the jail next door.

Bollea, who was not seriously hurt, had alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. Authorities cited him for being a driver under 21 operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .02 percent or higher and having illegal window tinting. He will attend DUI classes and can’t drink as terms of his probation.

Assistant State Attorney Scott Rosenwasser said a reconstruction determined Bollea was driving 69 miles per hour on a busy street. The accident came roughly two weeks after Bollea had been cited for driving 82 miles per hour in a construction zone and was one of numerous speeding tickets and warnings on the teen’s driving record, Rosenwasser said.

My office has also been involved in dram shop lawsuits involving actions against the store or bar that provide alcohol to minors under 21 years old. I am sure that Graziano’s civil attorney will be looking not only at Hogan for justice but also the bar or store where Bollea bought his alcohol.