A 52-year-old Park Ridge man was found dead near Axehead Lake, in a wooded area in unincorporated Des Plaines very close to Park Ridge Monday night. Police believe the incident may be a hit-and-run.
A 52-year-old Park Ridge man was found dead in a wooded area on Touhy Avenue near Axehead Lake, just east of the I-294 expressway, Monday evening.
The man was identified as Ronald Bougan, 52. He was probably struck by a vehicle, based on track marks and evidence recovered by Cook County Sheriff's police, said Frank Bilecki, spokesman for the Cook County Sheriff's office, which responded to the scene about 5:20 p.m. Monday.
Investigators do not yet know the time the accident which killed Bougan took place. Family members had talked to Bougan in the morning, and investigators are trying to contact friends to place his whereabouts during the day. He was likely struck between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Bilecki said.
Family members told police Bougan would typically walk and bike everywhere, and Bilecki said that since no bike was found, he may have been walking.
Bougan's body was found in a grassy area, about five to six feet south of Touhy Avenue near the eastbound lanes.
A man riding his bicycle spotted Bougan there and initially thought he was looking at a deer or other animal. He notified authorities, and the Cook County Forest Preserve police responded first, then called in the Cook County Sheriff's Police.
Anyone with information about the incident or perpetrator is asked to phone the Cook County Sheriff's police at 708-865-4700.
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