WALTHAM, MASS. – A New Hampshire man faced arraignment on Wednesday for the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey and National Grid employee Roderick Jackson. Peter Simon, the suspect, stands accused of two counts of second-degree murder, among various other charges stemming from the fatal collision.
The events unfolded on December 6 when Simon was driving a pickup truck on Totten Pond Road in Waltham. After pulling over to the side of the road, he abruptly re-entered the roadway and collided with another vehicle. Simon then proceeded to drive forward, ultimately striking Officer Paul Tracey and Roderick Jackson, who tragically lost their lives as a result.
Following the fatal collisions, Simon continued on, striking multiple vehicles before abandoning his truck and fleeing on foot. He then confronted a Waltham officer at the scene, reportedly brandishing a knife before stealing the officer’s cruiser. The chaotic incident culminated in Simon crashing the stolen police vehicle on Winter Street before being apprehended.
An investigation and reconstruction of the crash by the Massachusetts State Police revealed that Simon was accelerating at full throttle, reaching speeds of approximately 62-63 miles per hour at the time of the tragic events.
Peter Simon now faces a litany of charges including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of motor vehicle homicide, armed robbery, armed carjacking, assault with a dangerous weapon, and various other offenses. He currently remains in custody without bail as legal proceedings continue.
The community mourns the loss of Officer Paul Tracey and Roderick Jackson, remembering their lives and contributions. The legal process will now unfold as the justice system addresses the gravity of the situation and works towards establishing accountability for the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day in Waltham.