Cop, National Grid worker killed in hit-and-run; suspect tried to hit others, MA police say

Police claim a New Hampshire man facing charges in connection with the death of a Waltham, Massachusetts, police officer and a National Grid worker also tried to "intentionally" hit other police officers while he was running from officials Wednesday.

Peter Simon [1], 54, of Woodsville, N.H., crashed through a worksite on Totten Pond Road at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, killing Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey [2], 58, and a National Grid worker, identified in court as Roderick Jackson [3], 36, of Cambridge, and injuring two other utility employees, authorities said [4].

Simon pleaded not guilty to charges including manslaughter and armed robbery, and was ordered held without bail during a court appearance Thursday.

In court on Thursday, prosecutors said that before driving through the worksite, Simon struck another vehicle as he attempted to pull a U-turn on Totten Pond Road in his Ford F-150.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Tarrant said Simon then drove another quarter-mile down the street in an apparent attempt to flee before he veered into the National Grid construction site, where Tracey was working a police detail.

After crashing into multiple vehicles, Simon ditched his pickup truck, ran to a local home and banged on the door. As a Waltham police officer responding to the crash arrived, he believes he heard Simon say, "police are going to kill me."

The officer then asked if he had been in an accident, according to the police report.

Simon pulled a knife on the officer and hijacked their police cruiser, prosecutors said.

He hit two marked Waltham Police cruisers while fleeing in the stolen police cruiser, officials said.

Two officers were in an unmarked cruiser with their blue emergency lights activated when they noticed Simon driving on Lexington Street. Simon turned around, police said, and headed toward the unmarked cruiser. He then crossed the double yellow line and got "so close" to the cruiser they had to swerve out of the away to avoid being hit, police said.

The officer "stated he felt that Simon was intentionally trying to strike their unmarked cruiser when he crossed the double yellow line and entered their travel lane," the police report stated.

The police report also stated Simon attempted to crash into Waltham Police Deputy Chief Steven Champeon who was also operating an unmarked Ford Explorer with its emergency lights activated.

In addition to two counts of manslaughter and the count of armed robbery, Simon is accused of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, larceny of a motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon and related charges.

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Waltham police officer, National Grid worker killed in crash

Dozens of police officers from Waltham, the Massachusetts State Police, Watertown, Natick and Weston crowded into the courtroom Thursday morning alongside dozens more employees of National Grid.

"It's important to remember that these two men were doing their job, at 4 in the afternoon, when they were killed," Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan said at a press conference Wednesday night. "Crashes like this happen far too often.

It reminds us all of the dangers that officers and workers face when they are out on the roadways, performing their jobs."

Tracey was a compassionate police officer who "always looked out for the underdog," Waltham Police Chief Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday night.

"He was an amazing husband, a loving father and a friend to all, especially to the men and women at this police department," O'Connell said.

Simon is expected to return to Waltham District Court for a dangerousness hearing on Dec.

14.

Will Katcher contributed to this reporting.[8]

References

^ Peter Simon (www.masslive.com)
^ Officer Paul Tracey (www.masslive.com)
^ Roderick Jackson (www.masslive.com)
^ authorities said (www.middlesexda.com)
^ Cambridge man ID'd as National Grid worker killed in Waltham hit-and-run (www.masslive.com)
^ Waltham police officer killed in hit-and-run left 'a void that will not soon be filled' (www.masslive.com)
^ Fundraiser created for victims of Waltham crash that killed officer, utility worker (www.masslive.com)
^ Will Katcher (www.masslive.com)