A pickup truck driver, Peter Simon, 54, from Woodsville, New Hampshire, has been accused of crashing into and killing a police officer and a utility employee at a work site in Waltham, a Boston suburb. The incident occurred on December 6, resulting in the deaths of Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, 58, and National Grid utility worker Roderick Jackson, 36, of Cambridge.
Simon faces serious charges including two counts of second-degree murder, along with charges of motor vehicle homicide, armed robbery, armed carjacking, failing to stop for police, and leaving the scene of a crash causing death. He is being held without bail and will be arraigned at a later date.
According to prosecutors and police, Simon was driving when he attempted a U-turn, hitting another vehicle. He then continued driving and collided with Tracey and Jackson at a utility work site marked by orange cones, signs, and flashing lights. Tracey was on duty at the site.
The pickup truck also struck a National Grid truck and several other vehicles before Simon abandoned his truck and fled on foot. He then pulled a knife on another police officer, stole his cruiser, and fled again. However, he crashed the cruiser and was subsequently arrested.
Simon’s attorney, Lynda Dantas, stated she had not seen the indictments and could not comment at the time.
Waltham, located approximately 10 miles west of Boston, was shaken by the tragic events, which resulted in the loss of two lives and significant legal repercussions for the accused driver. The community mourns the loss of Officer Tracey and Mr. Jackson, both of whom were fulfilling their duties when the tragic incident occurred.
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