June 22, 2007

A Schaumburg, Illinois man admitted Thursday in court that he was drunk nearly two years ago when his pickup truck ran a red light and collided with a van that burst into flames, trapping and killing two children inside.

Ralph Pollock, 48, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of aggravated DUI related to the deaths of Nathan Hockerman, 5, and his sister, Claire, 14, and injuries to their parents, Gregory and Sherry, and brother, Paul, who survived the crash.

This was the third time Pollock was charged with DUI, said Assistant State's Atty. Maureen O'Brien. The first time, he received supervision, and the second time, he was convicted. He now faces a minimum sentence of six years in prison and a maximum of 28, she said.

Cook County Judge Lawrence Terrell will sentence Pollock on Aug. 28 at the Maybrook courthouse in Maywood.