***UPDATED RELEASE***
Incident Type: Homicide
Incident Date: 3/23/2026
Release Date: 3/23/2026
Incident Number: FP26-04707
Details:
At approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning, officers from the Fitchburg Police Department responded to the 5500 block of E. Cheryl Parkway for a report of a male laying on the bike path with a bicycle next to him. Officers quickly determined this was the result of a hit-and-run crash involving a motor vehicle. The bicyclist, a 59-year-old male, of Madison, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office.
The preliminary investigation determined that the victim had been struck by a pickup truck sometime between 3:50 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Detectives further determined that the incident was not accidental. Evidence indicated that the driver of the pickup truck intentionally left the roadway to strike the victim. After hitting the bicyclist with their truck, the driver then left the scene.
Prior to the report of the hit and run, officers had detained the driver of the truck after he also intentionally rammed a patrol vehicle in the parking lot of the Fitchburg Police Department, causing damage to two squads. This intentional act occurred after striking the bicyclist, but before officers were made aware of that incident.
The driver of the pickup truck, Andrew Smith, 40, of Beloit, was taken into custody and booked into the Dane County Jail on charges of Felony Criminal Damage to Property, Hit and Run (Involving Death), and First-Degree Intentional Homicide.
Due to this investigation, the 5500 block of E. Cheryl Parkway was closed to all traffic for approximately 10 hours. The investigation remains active at this time.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Fitchburg Police Department – (608)270-4300.
ORIGINAL RELEASE
At approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning, Fitchburg Police officers responded to the 5500 block of E. Cheryl Parkway for a reported hit-and-run crash involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist. Tragically, one individual has died as a result of the crash.
At this time, it is believed that all involved parties have been identified and are in contact with law enforcement. There is no ongoing threat to the community.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. E. Cheryl Parkway will be closed for an extended period as officers and investigators continue to process the scene. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.