Waltham police officer, National Grid worker killed after hit-and-run driver barrels into worksite

WALTHAM, Mass. — A Waltham police officer and a utility worker were killed in a hit-and-run crash on Totten Pond Road on Wednesday evening, officials said.

They have been identified as 58-year-old Paul Tracey and Roderick Jackson, 36, of Cambridge, respectively. Tracey was a 28-year veteran of the force.

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Peter Simon, 54, of Woodsville, New Hampshire, is charged with two counts of manslaughter and armed robbery, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, with more charges expected. He was arraigned in Waltham District Court on Thursday.

Police officer 58-year-old Paul Tracey of Waltham

District Attorney Marian Ryan says around 4 p.m., Simon was driving his pickup truck eastbound on Totten Pond Road when he pulled to the side of the road and attempted to make a U-turn, crashing into the car behind him. He continued on in his truck for about a quarter of a mile, according to officials, and struck Tracey and three other National Grid workers at a work site. Tracey and a worker from Cambridge were killed in the crash.

The other two National Grid workers were transported to an area hospital for their injuries. One of them has been treated and released.

After striking them, the DA’s office says Simon continued on and hit two other vehicles before abandoning his truck and fleeing on foot into the surrounding neighborhood.

Simon then allegedly pulled a knife on an officer nearby and stole his cruiser, crashing it on Winter Street. He fled on foot but was apprehended and is in police custody, according to officials.

Cell phone video from a witness shows the stolen cruiser driving at a high rate of speed away from police.

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In a statement, National Grid said, “Our thoughts are with the crew members, their families and loved ones.”

State Police Detectives, crime scene technicians, MSP Collision Recon, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and Waltham Police are all investigating.

No further information was immediately available.

Greg Hill Foundation has set up a fund to collect donations for the victims of the crash.