ROXANA, Ill. – The search for a missing Edwardsville man came to a tragic end last month, and now authorities are asking the public for help in solving the potential hit-and-run that killed him.
43-year-old Pablo Puente was reported missing to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department on Oct. 3. Family members say they last saw him the day before, leaving home on his 29-inch Giordano Intrepid Carbon Aluminum Frame Mountain Bike.
The search for Puente ended on Oct. 4, when Roxana police officers responded to a call just after 2:30 p.m. for a man down along Illinois Route 143 near Kendall Drive. Upon arriving at the scene, officers immediately determined the man was deceased, and Puente was positively identified as the victim.
Roxana Police Chief Will Cunningham reminded citizens, “That area of the road obviously from dusk until dawn is a very dark road; it’s poorly lit along that stretch from the subdivision towards the intersection of Wanda Road. As far as bicyclists, joggers, recreational walkers… that’s not a normal route of travel for anyone like that.”
Preliminary investigations determine Puente was struck by a vehicle in what authorities are calling a hit-and-run. His bike was not found at the scene by police.
The Illinois State Police are leading the investigation, but as of now, no further updates have been provided.
Anyone with information about the person responsible for this vehicular homicide is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). Calls can remain anonymous.