YEAR: 2017

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: September

DATE: 16

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Sangamon County

LOCATION DETAILS: Several hundred feet east of the South Fork of the Sangamon River on Rochester Road, between East Lake Drive and the village of Rochester.

NEAREST TOWN: Rochester

NEAREST ROAD: Rochester Road / Oak Hill Road

OBSERVED: On September 16, 2017 I left work early. I clocked out around 4:45 a.m., yes a.m. I was driving on Rochester Road getting close to the stoplight at Oak Hill Road when from the left side of the road a two legged creature ran across the road in front of me. It was still dark out and I had my lights on, the creature was just at the end of where my lights hit. It didn't seem to be extremely tall, but what caught my eye was the huge muscles on its legs and arms. It didn't appear to have much of a neck, like the head was sitting on the shoulders. I could see that it was not wearing any clothes, but also did not see long hair either. I would estimate it to be between 6'-6'5". It was a dark dirty black/grey color. It disappeared quickly into the cornfield. This all runs extremely close to the river. The area it came from always has multiple deer feeding and crossing the road. I always drive slow and cautiously on this stretch of road.

OTHER WITNESSES: Just me. It was 5:00am, coming home from work.

OTHER STORIES: No

TIME AND CONDITIONS: 5:00am

ENVIRONMENT: River and corn fields

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

In summary:

• The witness stated that the animal ran upright across the road 20 yards ahead of her car.
• The animal was 6 to 6 1/2 foot tall.
• The animal was a dark dirty black/grey color.
• The animal was very muscular, the witness was amazed at the size of the muscles of its arms and legs.
• The witness was unable to see the animal's face.

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at illinois@bfro.net

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