Crash victim's mom defends Hogan family

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Wrestler Hulk Hogan and his family have been visiting the man hurt when Hogan’s teen son crashed a car in Florida, it was reported Tuesday.

John Graziano, a 22-year-old Marine who recently returned home from Iraq, was critically injured when Hogan's 17-year-old son, Nick Bollea, lost control of the car he was driving and struck a tree. Graziano, who was a passenger in the vehicle, remains hospitalized. Bollea was treated and released for serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Graziano’s mother said her son would be angry about the way the stars of the VH1 reality show, "Hogan Knows Best," are being "torn apart" in the media, The Tampa Tribune reported.

Bay News 9 said it received an exclusive e-mail from Debbie Graziano defending the Hogans, whose real last name is Bollea, and thanking the community for its thoughts and prayers.

"My son John has been very close to the Bollea family for over six years," the e-mail said. "Since Day 1 of this nightmare, they have been with us physically, emotionally, mentally and financially."

Clearwater police continue to investigate the accident, but have said it involved excessive speed.