‘Talented and selfless’: National Grid mourning worker killed in hit-and-run crash in Waltham
WALTHAM, Mass. — A National Grid worker who was killed Wednesday when a hit-and-driver barreled into a worksite[1] in Waltham is being remembered by family and colleagues as a “talented, selfless, and highly respected” man.
Roderick Jackson, 36, of Cambridge, was working with a National Grid team on Totten Pond Road when prosecutors say 54-year-old Peter Simon, of New Hampshire, veered his pickup truck into the work area, hitting and killing him, as well as 58-year-old Waltham officer Paul Tracey[2].
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Waltham police officer killed, gas worker seriously injured in hit-and-run crash, sources say (Peter Lobo)
The utility company said Jackson had been working as a technician on the gas operations teams since early 2021.
“He was a highly respected, talented, and selfless teammate who worked extremely hard, took on extra duties, and had built strong friendships with members of his team,” a National Grid spokesperson said in a statement. “He was always willing to lend a hand, roll up his sleeves, and help a colleague. His loss is deeply felt throughout the company, and he will be sorely missed.”
After Simon was arraigned Thursday in Waltham District Court on manslaughter charges[3], Norma Asprilla, the mother of Jackson, expressed great devastation to learn of her son’s death.
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Roderick Jackson, National Grid (Family photo)
“We can never replace him. Behind bars, he [Simon] has life.
I don’t have my son. He took our treasure chest. Unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable,” Asprilla said.
Manuel Asprilla-Hassan, Jackson’s brother, called his sibling the “heart of the family[4].”
“I’ll tell you right now he was a legend.
He was the heart of this family, of this entire family. That’s who he was,” Asprilla-Hassan said. “Anybody who knows him, the most selfless man ever, ever. The most selfless man.
He was more than just my brother, he was my father. That’s the heart of this family, that’s what was taken from us.”
Two other National Grid workers were hospitalized with injuries suffered in the crash. They have since been released.
Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell remembered Tracey as an “amazing” father and husband[5] who served his department and the city with “great distinction.”
Simon is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Dec.
14.
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Arraignment held for Peter Simon, driver charged in deaths of Waltham officer, National Grid worker
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References
- ^ hit-and-driver barreled into a worksite (www.boston25news.com)
- ^ 58-year-old Waltham officer Paul Tracey (www.boston25news.com)
- ^ arraigned Thursday in Waltham District Court on manslaughter charges (www.boston25news.com)
- ^ called his sibling the “heart of the family (www.boston25news.com)
- ^ emembered Tracey as an “amazing” father and husband (www.boston25news.com)
- ^ FREE Boston 25 News app (www.boston25news.com)
- ^ Facebook (www.facebook.com)
- ^ Twitter (twitter.com)
- ^ Watch Boston 25 News NOW (www.boston25news.com)