An unlicensed New Hampshire pickup truck driver, Peter Simon, is accused of crashing into a police officer and a National Grid worker, Roderick Jackson, at a work site in Waltham, resulting in both of their deaths. Simon then pulled a knife on another officer before stealing his cruiser and crashing it. The incident unfolded after Simon attempted to make a U-turn on Totten Pond Road and collided with another vehicle. The truck continued for a quarter mile, hitting several other vehicles before Simon fled the scene on foot. When confronted by another officer, Simon brandished a knife and stole the officer’s cruiser. After a brief pursuit, Simon crashed the stolen cruiser and was ultimately apprehended.
The two victims, Officer Paul Tracey and utility worker Roderick Jackson, were taken to the hospital but succumbed to their injuries. Tracey, a 28-year veteran of the Waltham Police Department, was working a detail at the utility work site when he was struck. Jackson, a National Grid employee from Cambridge, was also fatally injured.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan called the incident an unimaginable tragedy and stated that crashes like this happen far too often. Ryan revealed that Simon has a history of criminal cases, including DUI and assault charges.
The Waltham community mourns the loss of Officer Paul Tracey, who was described as a compassionate police officer and a beloved family man. The streets were lined with emergency workers as Tracey’s body was transported to the medical examiner’s office in Boston. Governor Maura Healey ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Tracey.
The National Grid expressed their sorrow over the loss of Roderick Jackson, emphasizing their commitment to supporting his family and colleagues. They refrained from providing further comments due to the ongoing investigation.
This tragic event has deeply affected the city of Waltham and leaves a lasting impact on the community. Chief Kevin O’Connell praised Tracey’s dedication and expressed his grief over the loss of an exceptional officer.
