National Grid Worker ID'd As Roderick Jackson, A Family's 'Treasure Chest': Waltham Crash

WALTHAM, MA — The two men who died at a job site in Waltham have been identified as Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey and National Grid employee Roderick Jackson.

Tracey and Jackson are dead after a serious Wednesday night crash at a Totten Pond Road work site, which was followed by a day's worth of mourning from across the state, including statements and well wishes from Cape Cod to TD Garden.

One man from New Hampshire is in custody, charged with manslaughter for the crash and armed robbery for pulling a knife on a Waltham police officer before stealing his cruiser, officials said.

At about 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Peter Simon, 54 of Woodsville, New Hampshire was operating a pickup truck eastbound on Totten Pond Road in Waltham when he pulled to the side of the road and suddenly turned back into the roadway in an attempt to execute a U-turn, the Middlesex District Attorney said.

He struck a vehicle traveling eastbound, then continued driving forward for approximately a quarter mile before fatally striking Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, 58, of Waltham and the utility worker, Roderick Jackson, 36, of Cambridge.

Tracey was working a police detail at a National Grid work site at the time of the crash. In addition to the 36-year-old worker, two other National Grid employees were injured. One of those employees was also transported to the hospital where he was treated and released, officials said.

After striking the victims the suspect continued on, striking multiple other vehicles before abandoning his truck and fleeing on foot. The suspect encountered another Waltham officer who had responded to the scene, and allegedly pulled a knife on the officer before stealing his police cruiser and again fleeing, officials said.

The suspect crashed the cruiser on Winter Street, and fled once again. He was apprehended and arrested by a Waltham Police Officer after a brief foot chase.

Simon has been charged with two counts of manslaughter and armed robbery.

The state police are still working with the Middlesex District Attorney's Office on the matter, officials said, noting that more charges are likely.

Paul Tracey

Across the state, police departments have begun sharing condolences for Tracey, who was a member of the Waltham department for over 25 years.

"He was a compassionate police officer that always looked out for the underdog. He was an amazing husband, a loving father and a friend to all, especially the men and women of this police department," said Waltham Police Chief Kevin O'Connell.

In Wellfleet, the department remembered Tracey for his heroic actions on the Cape in 2018.

Read more: Waltham Cop Who Saved Woman On Cape Cod Killed At Police Detail

"Our hearts are heavy this morning, grieving the loss of Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey and the National Grid worker who was also killed in last evening's tragic crash at a construction detail," Wellfleet police officials said.

"Officer Tracey was a Cape visitor and vacationer, and was recognized in 2018 for helping to save the life of a woman on a Yarmouth beach while on vacation."

Roderick Jackson

National Grid issued a statement confirming the identity of Jackson.

"With great sadness we share that our team member, Roderick Jackson, working in our Massachusetts gas operations, died from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle driven by a member of the public Wednesday evening on Totten Pond Road in Waltham," officials said.

"Our immediate priority is supporting our team members and their families and loved ones during this difficult time, including by providing counseling and other services," they added.

Two other National Grid employees have been released from a local hospital, they added.

According to multiple reports, Jackson's brother and mother spoke outside of Simon's arraignment on Thursday, stating that Jackson was a great father, but also much more to the family.

"I'll tell you right now he was a legend. He was the heart of this family, of this entire family. That's who he was," Jackson's brother Manuel Asprilla-Hassan said, according to CBS Boston."Anybody who knows him, the most selfless man ever. He was more than just my brother, he was my father. That's the heart of this family, that's what was taken from us."

"He took our treasure chest," said Jackson's mother, Norma Asprilla. "Unforgivable."

Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery also issued his condolences at a press conference on Thursday.

The Boston Bruins extend condolences to @WalthamMAPolice and the family of officer Paul Tracey and @nationalgridus and the family of Roderick Jackson. pic.twitter.com/xij7O3ofgS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 7, 2023