Skokie EMT Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run

Skokie resident 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 a death, a Class I felony, authorities said Friday. Hernandez worked as an EMT for an ambulance company in Skokie, the Sheriff's Department said.

Patch reported on Nov. 6 that a man riding his bicycle found 53-year-old Park Ridge resident Ronald Bougan lying dead in the grass near Axehead Lake on Touhy Avenue, just east of the I-294 expressway in Des Plaines.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Department gathered evidenced at the scene and canvassed local auto body shops in an attempt to locate a vehicle that had damage consistent with auto parts recovered at the scene.

Investigators eventually realized they were looking for a black Dodge Challenger and located a repair shop in Skokie that matched the description of the vehicle they were looking for. The car had damage consistent with what was found at the scene of the accident, authorities said.

According to the Cook County Sherriff’s Department, Hernandez has already provided statements admitting his involvement with the accident.

Prior to this arrest, Hernandez had been arrested seven times, including a violation of an order of protection, domestic battery with bodily harm and possession of a stolen vehicle, the Sherriff’s Department said.

Bond has been set for $100,000 and Hernandez  is due in court on Dec. 4 at the Skokie Courthouse.