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

Accident – death – Obituary News : WALTHAM, MASS. (WHDH) – A local driver has come forward to share her harrowing experience after her car was involved in a devastating multi-car hit-and-run crash that tragically claimed the lives of a police officer and a utility worker on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred on Totten Pond Road, where 54-year-old Peter Simon allegedly crashed his pickup truck into multiple vehicles and a National Grid worksite. Simon then reportedly stole a police cruiser and engaged in a high-speed chase before being apprehended by authorities.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan confirmed the fatalities as Waltham police officer Paul Tracey and National Grid worker Roderick Jackson. As investigations into the incident continue, Mariccor Pawar, who was involved in the crash, bravely shared her terrifying ordeal. Pawar revealed that she initially lost consciousness upon impact when Simon’s vehicle collided with hers.

“I woke up to the sound of people screaming, ‘Call 911! Call 911!'” Pawar recounted. She witnessed the arrival of an ambulance and observed emergency crews diligently performing CPR on the victims. Still shaken from the traumatic event, Pawar declined to appear on camera but recounted driving home from the grocery store when she first encountered the ongoing utility work on Totten Pond Road. Pawar even recalled waving to officer Tracey at the time.

Moments later, tragedy struck as Simon’s vehicle slammed into the back of Pawar’s car. “I felt the initial impact from behind,” she explained. “But due to the airbags deploying, it felt like the weight of the world crashed down on me.” In that same instant, Simon’s reckless actions also led to the fatal injuries of officer Tracey and Jackson.

Pawar was rushed to the hospital with whiplash and complained of severe headaches and pain in her neck, back, and stomach. Despite her own suffering, Pawar expressed deep empathy for the lives lost during the incident. “It’s an absolutely horrific accident,” she said. “You hear about minor accidents, but the fact that two lives were tragically taken in this incident is just unimaginable. It makes you question if there was anything more you could have done.”

This haunting thought kept Pawar awake throughout the night, as she realized she was among the last individuals to have seen officer Tracey alive. “Knowing that he is no longer with us is incredibly saddening,” she lamented. “My heart goes out to his family, friends, especially his children and wife. It’s an absolute tragedy.”

As news of the devastating incident spread, tributes poured in from across the region, with many mourning the loss of officer Tracey and Jackson. Prior to a police procession escorting officer Tracey’s body to a local funeral home, Simon was arraigned on multiple charges related to the incident. He has been ordered to be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

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(Note: The above article has been written using British English).