Cops seek Elgin teen who avoided prison in fatal DUI crash

An arrest warrant has been issued for Brian Poliarny, an Arlington Heights teen who avoided prison time after pleading guilty last year to drunken driving in a crash that killed a friend.

Poliarny, 19, of 512 Knob Hill Drive and formerly of Elgin, failed to show up to a court hearing Monday to face parole violation charges stemming from his shoplifting arrest last month in Rolling Meadows.

On Sept. 4, police responded to the Rolling Meadows Meijer on reports Poliarny stole about $65 worth of merchandise. Authorities said he fled as employees tried to stop him outside the store, but police arrived as he drove away.

He was charged with misdemeanor retail theft, a violation of his parole. His bond was set at $10,000 in his absence, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Adam Klugman.

Poliarny was drunk and had marijuana in his system when, early on Jan. 12, 2007, he drove his car through an intersection and slammed into a brick wall in East Dundee. The crash seriously injured one and killed 16-year-old Dundee-Crown High School student Roman Pokorny.

Poliarny, then of Elgin, was acquitted of first-degree murder charges and pleaded guilty to two aggravated DUI charges carrying sentences of up to 14 and 12 years in prison.

Kane County Judge Grant Wegner cited Poliarny's lack of extended criminal history, his age and the fact he accepted responsibility and expressed remorse for sparing him of prison time. Poliarny had told the judge he wanted to "clean up my life" and said he was lining up a job.

Instead of prison, Poliarny was instead sentenced to serve at least 90 days of a 180-day jail sentence. He also had to stay sober, meet curfews, seek full-time employment and undergo psychiatric evaluation.

"Mr. Poliarny, this is your chance," Kane County Judge Grant Wegner said during a sentencing hearing in January 2008. "You don't get any more chances, and I hope you recognize that."