Suspect in crash that killed Waltham officer, utility worker, held without bail
A New Hampshire man is being held without bail after allegedly killing a Waltham police officer and National Grid utility worker as he barreled through a construction site on Totten Pond Road before crashing. Peter Simon, 54, of Woodsville, N.H. faced arraignment Thursday morning in Waltham District Court where he was met in the packed courtroom with a crowd of grieving family and a show of solidarity and support from visibly shaken police officers and utility workers. Simon, who had a cut above his eye and an abrasion on his face, was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Dec.
14. The Middlesex DA’s office told the court the state intends to argue that Simon should be locked up before his trial as there is probable cause he committed the actions he’s accused of and that there are “no conditions of pretrial release that would ensure the safety of the community.”
Waltham, MA – Waltham Chief of Police Kevin O’Connell speaks outside Waltham District Court after arraignment. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Simon faces a slew of charges including two counts of manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, larceny of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident after causing personal injury and death, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident after causing property damage, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a marked lanes violation, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Simon is accused of running down officer Paul Tracey, 58, a 28-year veteran of the Waltham police department and Roderick Jackson, 36, a National Grid worker from Cambridge.
Speaking to reporters outside of the courthouse, National Grid worker Joe Garcia described his colleague as a “great father.” “He had ambition, great ambition,” Garcia said of Jackson. “And this person took it all away from him.”
Waltham, MA – Family photo of Roderick Jackson, utility worker killed in Waltham. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Tracey is a decorated veteran of the Waltham Police. In 2018, he was hailed as a hero after he helped save the life of a woman who overdosed on drugs on a Cape Cod beach, Boston 25 reported at the time.
Tracey was off duty, on a family vacation, at Riviera Beach Resort in South Yarmouth when he and a cousin began CPR on the woman in distress, the station reported. “Paul Tracey served this great city with distinction,” said Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell, visibly shaken up at a news conference Wednesday night after the deadly crash. “He was a compassionate police officer but always looked out for the underdog. He’s an amazing husband, loving father and a friend to all, especially the men and women of this police department.”
After the emotional arraignment, Tracey’s brother Jim shared his appreciation for the community’s support. “We just want to thank the Waltham community for the tremendous outpouring for our brother Paul,” Jim told reporters. “He was a tremendous husband, father, uncle, and brother, and loved by everybody in the community. Anybody who knew him, his laughter, his compassion.
He will be missed.” Simon, the DA said, pulled his Ford F-150 to the side of Totten Pond Road while traveling eastbound, suddenly turning back into the roadway in an attempt to execute a U-turn. “He struck a vehicle traveling eastbound, then continued driving forward for approximately a quarter mile before fatally striking Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, 58 of Waltham and the utility worker, a 36-year-old Cambridge man,” a release from the DA’s office states.
Two other utility workers were taken to a hospital after the crash for injuries. One of those workers had been released after receiving treatment late Wednesday night, the DA’s office said. “Our thoughts are with the crew members, their families and loved ones,” National Grid said in a statement.
Garcia, Jackson’s colleague, spoke to reporters about what it’s like being a utility worker and added advice for motorists. “We’re always in traffic areas,” Garcia said. “You guys see us everyday out there. You guys know what it is.
Just slow down, people. Slow down.” After crashing into the officer and utility workers at the detail site, Simon sped away, colliding into multiple other vehicles before fleeing on foot, according to the DA’s office.
“The suspect encountered another Waltham officer who had responded to the scene, and allegedly pulled a knife on the officer before stealing his police cruiser and again fleeing,” according to the release from the DA’s office.
“The suspect crashed the cruiser on Winter Street, and fled once again,” the release continues. “He was apprehended and arrested by a Waltham Police Officer after a brief foot chase.”
– Developing