Posted By: Margaret Pozzini
The victim and the suspect in an apparent murder on Madison's West Side this weekend were allegedly traveling together with another person, according to police investigators.
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Authorities said that they were called on Saturday night to Brittany Place, near McKenna Boulevard, on a report of a hit-and-run accident.
When officers arrived, they said that they found a man lying on the side of the road. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The victim was identified as 57-year-old William Smith.
The apparent slaying occurred a short distance from the Madison Police Department's West District headquarters, WISC-TV reported.
On Sunday night, police arrested Eric K. Wells in connection to the killing. Wells is being held in the Dane County Jail on a probation hold. Authorities said that a homicide charge in the case could come by Tuesday, WISC-TV reported.
Both men share lengthy criminal records. Smith had been convicted of running a drug house and was currently wanted for bail jumping. Wells is a twice convicted armed robber, WISC-TV reported.
Authorities said that Smith and Wells were allegedly traveling with a third person inside a vehicle before the violence erupted at about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, WISC-TV reported. Officers said that the men apparently got out of the vehicle and began fighting in the street. Smith was struck with some type of weapon and bled to death, authorities said.
Carlos Valentin, Madison police's public information officer, said that investigators are trying to clarify what, if any, connection exists between Smith and Wells.
"This is not a random crime," Valentin said. "This is an isolated incident at this point. We're not saying the suspect and the victim knew each other, anything like that, but it's definitely not a random act of violence."
Authorities are asking anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 608-266-6014.
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