WALTHAM, Mass. – A tragic hit-and-run crash on Totten Pond Road in Waltham claimed the lives of a police officer and a utility worker on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. and has left the community in shock.
The victims have been identified as 58-year-old Paul Tracey, a respected Waltham police officer with 28 years of experience, and a 36-year-old man from Cambridge who worked as a utility worker. Their names have not been released.
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The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Peter Simon of Woodsville, New Hampshire, has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and armed robbery. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has stated that additional charges are expected. Simon is set to be arraigned in Waltham District Court on Thursday.
According to officials, Simon was driving his pickup truck eastbound on Totten Pond Road when he suddenly pulled to the side of the road and attempted to make a U-turn. In the process, he crashed into the car behind him. Simon continued driving for about a quarter of a mile before striking Tracey and three other National Grid workers at a work site. Sadly, Tracey and the utility worker from Cambridge were killed in the crash.
The other two National Grid workers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Fortunately, one of them has already been released.
After hitting the workers, Simon allegedly continued driving and collided with two more vehicles before abandoning his truck and fleeing on foot into the surrounding neighborhood. He then reportedly pulled a knife on an officer nearby and stole his cruiser, which he crashed on Winter Street. Simon attempted to escape on foot but was apprehended by authorities. He is currently in police custody.
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The incident has prompted a large-scale investigation involving State Police Detectives, crime scene technicians, MSP Collision Recon, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and Waltham Police.
National Grid released a statement expressing their condolences and stating that their thoughts are with the victims’ families and loved ones.
No further information is currently available on the case. The Greg Hill Foundation has set up a fund to collect donations for the victims of the crash.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a dedicated police officer and offers support to the injured workers and their families.
