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Arrest warrant issued for man charged in deadly Beltline hit-and-run

MADISON (WKOW) -- The man accused of hitting and killing a woman walking on the Beltline Friday night has been charged, according to Dane County court records.

Jules Tougna Tamen, 59, is charged in the felony hit-and-run death of Jaitaja J. Graham, 23.

Graham was walking on the Beltline with traffic when a Madison Police Department official said an SUV crashed into her. She died at the scene.

The SUV was found abandoned the following day. The criminal complaint states it was identified using serialized parts that had broken off the vehicle during the crash, along with matching it with the damage it would have sustained in the crash.

A criminal complaint states witnesses saw Graham walking in the road and two other women were trying to slow traffic when she was hit. The Madison Police Department stated it's still unknown why Graham was walking in the road.

Another witness said the SUV entered the Beltline's flex lane right after the crash and drove away.

The complaint states investigators used surveillance footage to identify Tougna Tamen, who was seen driving away from his apartment complex minutes before the crash in a 2005 Lexus GX. Surveillance footage then shows Tougna Tamen returned to his apartment complex minutes after the crash. Once there, he got out of the vehicle and looked at the damage while he appeared to be talking on the phone, according to the complaint.

A warrant has been issued for Tougna Tamen, and MPD spokesperson Stephanie Fryer said officers haven't been able to find him. She said he may have left the area.

State and federal agencies are searching for him.

If convicted, Tougna Tamen faces up to 25 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Anyone with any information on Tougna Tamen's whereabouts should contact the Madison Police Department non-emergency number at 608-266-4275.

More at WKOW 27 News


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