Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal East Washington Avenue Crash
MADISON (WKOW) — A Dane County judge ruled there was probable cause to move forward in the case against Joseph Zalas following a preliminary hearing on October 10, related to a deadly crash on East Washington Avenue.
Zalas is charged with first-degree reckless homicide in connection with the incident that resulted in a pedestrian‘s death. According to Madison police, Zalas allegedly drove a speeding white BMW that ran a red light, struck a pedestrian, collided with multiple vehicles, and ultimately wrapped around a tree.
Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle's reckless behavior. Crash investigator Brandon Mortensen testified that crash data from the BMW indicated it was traveling at 70 mph just before the impact, significantly over the 25 mph speed limit.
Officer Richard Bruss took the stand, relaying that Zalas had no memory of the events leading up to the crash after he awoke in his vehicle at the scene.
The court found probable cause for the charge and scheduled Zalas's next appearance, where he formally entered a not guilty plea. His bond has been set at $150,000. The investigation is ongoing.