Rockets announcer's parents killed in Sugar Land wreck

Rockets play-by-by announcer Craig Ackerman Rockets play-by-by announcer Craig Ackerman Photo: handout email Photo: handout email Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Rockets announcer's parents killed in Sugar Land wreck 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The parents of Houston Rockets basketball announcer Craig Ackerman died Tuesday in a one-vehicle accident in Sugar Land, officials confirmed.

Gerald Ackerman and his wife, Bonnie Ackerman, both 66, died as a result of their injuries in the accident about 1:30 p.m. , said Sugar Land spokesman Doug Adolph.

Gerald Ackerman was driving a Ford Ranger pickup on Austin Parkway, approaching Williams Trace when he lost control and struck a light pole and then hit a tree, Adolph said.

The pickup was traveling at high speed, Adolph said.

Gerald Ackerman died at the scene, while his wife was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where she later died, Adolph said.

Team, coach respond

Austin Parkway was closed for several hours as police investigated the scene and crews removed debris, including the light pole which fell across the road, Adolph said.

The Rockets' chief executive officer, Tad Brown, on Wednesday issued a statement offering the team's "sympathies and condolences to Craig and the Ackerman family, … as they begin to cope with this devastating loss."

Coach Kevin McHale, who does a regular pre-game radio show with Craig Ackerman, also offered his condolences.

With team since 1994

"I'm just so sorry," McHale said. "Words right now are totally insufficient. My heart goes out to the whole family."

Craig Ackerman, 38, was named as the team's radio voice in June 2008, when he replaced the announcing team of Gene Peterson and Jim Foley.

At the time, he had worked for the team for 14 years, beginning as an intern while a student at Houston Baptist University.

Ackerman will likely miss the Rockets' three remaining games this week, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, spokesman Nelson Luis said.

Matt Thomas of radio station 790 AM will provide play-by-play coverage during Ackerman's absence, Luis said.

Chronicle reporter Jonathan Feigen contributed to this story.