MADISON (WKOW) — A 43-year-old Madison man was arrested for first-degree reckless homicide following a fatal pedestrian crash on East Washington Avenue on Wednesday.
Authorities said Joseph Zalas was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon and booked into the Dane County Jail.
The incident occurred at 11:45 a.m. on East Washington Avenue/U.S. Highway 151 at South Paterson Street, near Breese Stevens Field. A man in his 70s was reportedly in the crosswalk with the right of way when he was struck and killed.
According to investigators, excessive speed was a major contributing factor to the crash; results from a pending blood draw may provide further insights.
Several vehicles sustained damage during the incident. One driver from the other vehicles was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the collision.