Waltham police officer killed, utility workers injured, after being struck by vehicle, authorities say

A Waltham police officer has died after being struck by a vehicle on Totten Pond Road Wednesday evening in a crash that also injured at least three utility workers, according to two law enforcement officials briefed on the case and National Grid.

The police officer was not immediately identified and the officials could not be quoted by name because of the sensitivity of the ongoing case. Waltham police deferred a request for comment to Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan's office.

The crash occurred at a detail site, Massachusetts State Police said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Meghan Kelly, a spokeswoman for Ryan, said in an emailed statement, "The preliminary information is that a male operator struck two individuals before stealing a Waltham Police Cruiser, fleeing the scene and subsequently crashing that vehicle."

Kelly said the suspect was apprehended after a foot pursuit and is currently in custody.

Waltham police and State Police are investigating, she said, declining to comment further on the case.

"This is a very active investigation and updates will be provided as they become available," Kelly said in the statement.

In a separate statement, a spokesman for National Grid confirmed that several workers were injured, one of them seriously.

"Earlier today, members of a National Grid crew working in Waltham were struck by a vehicle driven by a member of the public.

At least three team members were injured and transferred to a local hospital. Preliminary indications are that at least one employee suffered serious injuries," spokesman Robert Kievra said in an emailed statement Wednesday night.

"Our thoughts are with the crew members, their families and loved ones," Kievra said in the statement.

Mike Bello of the Globe staff contributed to this story.

Tonya Alanez can be reached at [email protected][1]. Follow her @talanez [2].

Grace Gilson can be reached at [email protected][3].

References

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^ [email protected] (www.bostonglobe.com)