N.H. man indicted in fatal car crash

Waltham officer, worker killed

A Middlesex County grand jury has indicted a New Hampshire man for second degree murder in connection with a car crash that killed a Waltham police officer and a National Grid employee last December, law enforcement authorities announced on Wednesday.

Peter Simon, 54, of Woodsville, N.H., faces two counts of second degree murder and a slew of other vehicle-related charges in connection with the deaths of Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey, 58, and Roderick Jackson, 36, on Dec. 6, according to Waltham police and the Middlesex district attorney’s office.

Tracey was devoted to his wife, Kristin, who is also a

Peter Simon was involved in police chases in New Hampshire in 2009 and 2016, both of which ended in police pursuits and crashes.

Waltham police officer, and the couple’s two children, Danika and Tyler, relatives said at his funeral service last month. Tracey was a member of the Waltham department for 28 years, officials have said.

Jackson, a Cambridge native fondly known as “Kito,” was remembered as an inspiring, driven family man who encouraged his siblings while also pursuing excellence as a college athletic star and, later, as a hard-working utility worker for National Grid.

Investigators allege that Simon was driving a pick-up truck eastbound on Totten Pond Road in Waltham at about 4 p.m. when he pulled off to the side before suddenly turning back into the roadway, striking a Jeep in the process.

He proceeded to continue driving for about a quarter-mile before he struck Tracey and Jackson at a utility work site. He would go on to strike multiple other cars before he abandoned his truck and fled on foot, according to the district attorney’s office.

Simon then allegedly pulled a knife on another Waltham police officer who had responded to the scene and stole his police cruiser, authorities said. Simon crashed the cruiser on Winter Street and was arrested, according to officials.

An investigation estimated that Simon, who is currently being held without bail and will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court at a later date, was travelling more than 60 miles an hour when he crashed the cruiser.

In addition to the murder counts, Simon was indicted on charges of motor vehicle homicide, armed robbery, armed carjacking, assault with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, operating to endanger, three counts of leaving the scene causing property damage, leaving the scene causing death, failure to stop for police, wanton destruction of property, and resisting arrest.

Simon was involved in police chases in New Hampshire in 2009 and 2016, both of which ended in police pursuits and crashes.

In the 2009 case, he was sentenced to five years in the state’s psychiatric hospital, the Globe has reported.