YEAR: 1984

SEASON: Summer

DATE: 25

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Madison County

NEAREST TOWN: Between New Douglas and Livingston

NEAREST ROAD: New Douglas Rd

OBSERVED: My mother and I were traveling between New Douglas and Livingston on New Douglas Rd heading west to Livingston. It was dark and in the headlights we both saw it run from the left side of the road to the right side of the road in front of the car. The road had steep banks on both sides and it ran down and across the road and out of sight on the other side of the road very quickly. It went from being on all fours to two legs as it was crossing the road. It was big, brown, hairy and very fast.

My mother and I both looked at each other and said "did you see that" at the same time. We were scared to turn around but did go back with two other people within about 30 min of the sighting but we didn't see anything else.

After we saw this my mom told me that when she was a kid living in New Douglas that there were stories of a "Crazy Guy" that lived in the woods in this same area. I can tell you 100% that this wasn't a person or any other animal that I have ever seen.

ALSO NOTICED: No

OTHER WITNESSES: Two, myself and my mother. Driving down the road.

OTHER STORIES: Just the story my mom told me regarding the "crazy man".

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Night, clear, car lights

ENVIRONMENT: Rural with woods on both sides of the road.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone:

• The witness stated that the animal ran across the road 50 yards ahead of their car.
• The animal was 7 to 8 foot tall.
• The animal was solid brown in color.
• The animal was heavily built with a large chest, narrow waist and no apparent neck.
• The witness was unable to see the animal's face.
• The witness was very impressed by the animal's speed.

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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