Dangerousness hearing postponed for suspect accused in crash that killed Waltham officer
WALTHAM -- A court hearing for the man accused of causing the deaths last week of a Waltham police officer and a utility worker has been postponed. Peter Simon, 56, of Woodsville, New Hampshire, was scheduled to appear Thursday in Waltham District Court[1] for a hearing to determine whether he is a danger to the public. But the hearing was postponed until Jan.
25, and Simon continues to be held without bail. Simon is accused of crashing a Ford pickup into Waltham police[2] officer Paul Tracey, 58, and National Grid employee Roderick Jackson Jr., 36, at about 4:15 p.m. on Dec.
6 on Totten Pond Road. Earlier: Suspect arraigned in crash with stolen cruiser that killed a 'compassionate' Waltham officer[3]
Visitation for Tracey, a 28-year veteran of the Waltham Police Department, was scheduled for Thursday with his funeral to be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church[4], 920 Trapelo Road, Waltham. Burial with police honors will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery[5], 203 Prospect St., Waltham.
Services will be broadcast online at https://www.brascolive.com/.[6] Jackson's visitation and burial are scheduled for Saturday at Saint Paul AME Church[7] in Cambridge.
Police ask those with visual evidence to come forward
The Waltham and Massachusetts State Police[8] continue to investigate the crash. They're asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact them.
Also, those who may have cellphone videos, photos or dashcam footage are asked to come forward. "Even if you think it may not be of value, trained investigators may find evidentiary value in what appear to be the most minor of details and would like to hear from you," police said in a statement. Anyone with information can reach the Waltham police at [email protected], or the voicemail tip line at 781-314-3636 or via Facebook Messenger[9].
Police said anonymity can be provided. Simon is charged two counts of manslaughter; failing to stop for police; driving to endanger; larceny of a vehicle; armed robbery; assault with a dangerous weapon; leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death; leaving the scene of an accident causing personal damage; and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. He was also cited for several traffic violations.
PHOTOS: Memorial created for Waltham police officer Paul Tracey[10] Authorities allege that at about 4:15 p.m. on Dec.
6, Simon drove into a well marked work zone on Totten Pond Road and tried to squeeze between two work vehicles. Instead, he allegedly struck Tracey and Jackson, killing both of them.
Simon is then alleged to have run away from his pickup and tried to force his way into a nearby home before being confronted by another officer. Authorities allege Simon then brandished a knife, stole a police cruiser and led police on a brief chase before crashing the cruiser. Police say he then tried to run away before being arrested.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected].
For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
References
- ^ Waltham District Court (www.mass.gov)
- ^ Waltham police (www.city.waltham.ma.us)
- ^ Suspect arraigned in crash with stolen cruiser that killed a 'compassionate' Waltham officer (www.wickedlocal.com)
- ^ Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church (www.olca.org)
- ^ Mount Feake Cemetery (www.city.waltham.ma.us)
- ^ https://www.brascolive.com/. (www.brascolive.com)
- ^ Saint Paul AME Church (st-paul-ame.org)
- ^ Massachusetts State Police (www.mass.gov)
- ^ Facebook Messenger (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Memorial created for Waltham police officer Paul Tracey (www.wickedlocal.com)