Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey and Utility Worker Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash

Accident – death – Obituary News : WALTHAM, Mass. — A tragic hit-and-run crash on Totten Pond Road in Waltham has claimed the lives of a police officer and a utility worker. According to sources from Boston 25, the victims have been identified as 58-year-old Paul Tracey, a veteran police officer from Waltham, and a 36-year-old man from Cambridge.

The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Peter Simon from Woodsville, New Hampshire, has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and armed robbery, with additional charges expected. Simon is scheduled to be arraigned in Waltham District Court on Thursday.

According to District Attorney Marian Ryan, the incident occurred around 4 p.m. when Simon, driving his pickup truck eastbound on Totten Pond Road, suddenly pulled to the side and attempted to make a U-turn. In the process, he crashed into the car behind him. Simon then continued driving for about a quarter of a mile, striking Tracey and three other National Grid workers at a work site. Sadly, both Tracey and the worker from Cambridge lost their lives in the crash.

The two remaining National Grid workers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Fortunately, one of them has already been treated and released.

After hitting the victims, Simon allegedly continued driving and collided with two other vehicles before abandoning his truck and fleeing on foot into the surrounding neighborhood. In a shocking turn of events, he then reportedly pulled a knife on a nearby officer and stole his cruiser. However, Simon’s attempt to escape was short-lived as he crashed the stolen cruiser on Winter Street. He subsequently fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by law enforcement officials. Simon is currently in police custody.

Cell phone video captured by a witness shows the stolen cruiser speeding away from pursuing police vehicles, highlighting the dangerous nature of the situation.

Following the incident, National Grid released a statement expressing their condolences and support for the victims and their families. “Our thoughts are with the crew members, their families, and loved ones,” the statement read.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including State Police Detectives, crime scene technicians, MSP Collision Recon, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and Waltham Police, are actively investigating the crash.

At this time, no further details have been released regarding the incident.

In response to the tragedy, the Greg Hill Foundation has created a fund to collect donations for the victims of the crash, providing an avenue for the community to show support and offer assistance.

The incident has left the community in shock, with officers from across the state lining the streets to honor Officer Paul Tracey, who served the Waltham Police Department for 28 years.

As the investigation unfolds, updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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