Waltham Police Officer, National Grid Worker Killed In Horrific Crash
A devastating crash in Waltham, Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon has left a veteran police officer and a National Grid worker dead. The tragic incident also injured two other utility workers and set off a dangerous series of events that ended with the alleged perpetrator's arrest.
Suspect Veers Into Oncoming Traffic
According to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, 54-year-old Peter Simon of Woodsville, New Hampshire was driving northbound on Totten Pond Road when he attempted a U-turn into oncoming traffic near a National Grid worksite. In doing so, he struck a vehicle behind him before accelerating in the wrong direction down the road.
Victims Struck And Killed
Shortly thereafter, Simon's pickup truck slammed into 58-year-old Waltham police officer Paul Tracey and a 36-year-old National Grid worker from Cambridge. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the violent collision. The utility worker's name has not yet been released to the public.
Two additional National Grid employees were also hurt in the crash, including one worker who was hospitalized after being struck while working in a ditch.
Suspect Flees, Steals Police Cruiser
In the chaotic aftermath, Simon allegedly struck two other cars before abandoning his truck and fleeing on foot into a residential neighborhood. There, he encountered an responding Waltham police officer and reportedly threatened the officer with a knife before stealing the patrol cruiser at knifepoint.
A dangerous pursuit ensued, ending only when Simon crashed the stolen cruiser on Winter Street. He once again attempted to run from the scene but was quickly apprehended by police.
Charges Filed, Investigation Ongoing
Simon is currently facing two counts of manslaughter as well as an armed robbery charge for stealing the police vehicle. However, District Attorney Ryan stated that additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
Simon will be arraigned Thursday morning in Waltham District Court. It is unclear if he has obtained legal counsel at this time.
Victims Mourned As Community Reels
Officer Paul Tracey was a 28-year veteran of the Waltham Police Department and leaves behind a wife and two children. He was remembered by Police Chief Kevin O’Connell as “a compassionate police officer” who “always looked out for the underdog.”
The National Grid worker killed in the crash was a 36-year-old Cambridge resident. His name has not yet been made public out of respect for his grieving family.
“Our thoughts are with the crew members, their families and loved ones,” National Grid said in a statement.
For many in the tight-knit community, the tragedy is still setting in.
“I was traumatized just watching the scene,” recalled one witness who lives on Totten Pond Road. “It was a horrifying scene.”
A Preventable Tragedy
District Attorney Ryan noted that crashes like this seem to happen all too often these days.
Totten Pond Road is known to locals as a busy thoroughfare where speeding is common. One neighbor told reporters she has repeatedly asked the city to implement traffic calming measures in the area.
Sadly, it took an unthinkable tragedy involving the loss of two innocent lives to shine a spotlight on an issue many have been warning about for years.
Community Mourns Fallen Heroes
In the wake of immense grief, Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell poignantly observed that “Paul Tracey served this great city with distinction. He was a compassionate police officer and always looked out for the underdog. He was an amazing husband, a loving father, and a friend to all.”
Nothing can undo this terrible tragedy or bring back those so senselessly killed. But perhaps their memory can spur real change to prevent such needless loss of life in the future.
For now, a community mourns two of its own—a veteran police officer and a utility worker who never made it home from a routine job. Two heroes taken long before their time.
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