Kristian Hernandez, 36, of the 8200 block of Knox Avenue, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident resulting in death, a class 1 felony. He appeared in bond court in Skokie this morning.
On November 5th, 2012 an individual was riding a bike westbound on Touhy Avenue around the Axehead Lake Forest Preserve when a body was observed lying in the grass just off the road. The individual immediately called 9-1-1 to call for help. Cook County Sheriff’s Police responded, it was learned that the victim, who died at the scene, was Ronald Bougan, 53, of Park Ridge and notification was made to the victim’s family.
Sheriff’s detectives gathered evidence at the scene and immediately sent out messages to law enforcement agencies with information about the accident and possible offending vehicle. Detectives also began canvassing local auto body shops in an attempt to locate a vehicle that had damage consistent with items that were recovered at the scene.
Through the investigation, it was revealed that an individual brought in their vehicle, a black Dodge Challenger, for a repair estimate at an auto body repair shop in Skokie. The vehicle had matched the description of the possible offending vehicle and had damages which were consistent with the investigation. Detectives learned the offender worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for a private ambulance company located in Skokie and set-up surveillance to confirm the offender and vehicle with damages.
Hernandez was taken into custody on November 7, 2012 and brought to the CCSPD Maybrook Investigations Headquarters for questioning. The offender has provided statements admitting to his involvement.
Prior to this arrest Hernandez has been arrested seven times, including a violation of an order of protection, domestic battery with bodily harm and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Bond has been set at $100,000 leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Friday, November 9, 2012. Hernandez’s next court date is December 4th in Skokie.