National Grid Worker and Police Officer Killed in Hit-and-Run

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/8/2023
 
Contact:   
Jame Jones, MassCOSH Communications Coordinator
jame.jones@masscosh.org
(857) 301-7730

BOSTON The death of a National Grid worker and a police officer in Waltham on Wednesday afternoon is a tragic reminder of the hazards facing people working in roadway work zones, said the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health (MassCOSH) in a statement released today.

According to media reports, 54-year-old Peter Simon was fleeing the scene after crashing into another car while attempting a u-turn, when he then crashed through a worksite at Totten Pond Road, tragically killing 36-year-old National Grid worker Roderick Jackson of Cambridge as well as 58-year-old Waltham Police Officer Paul Tracey. Three other National Grid workers were also injured in the crash. During a court appearance yesterday, Simon plead not guilty to charges including manslaughter. He will return to court next week for a dangerousness hearing.

Members of the Greater Boston labor movement and the Waltham community at large continue to process and mourn these losses. USW Local 12003, of which Jackson was a member, had this to say following Wednesday’s tragedy:
“We are sending our most sincere condolences to the families of our fallen Union Brother and the Waltham Police Officer who were both tragically killed yesterday on Totten Pond Rd. in Waltham.
R.I.P. Brother Roderick Jackson our hearts are broken today.”

Waltham City Councilor Jonathan Paz also offered his thoughts in an official statement:
“Life’s fragility hits hard in moments like these…Officer Tracey’s dedication to our community was unwavering, and the loss of [Roderick Jackson] from Cambridge is equally devastating. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to their families and loved ones.”

Unfortunately, struck-by incidents are not uncommon for employees working at roadway worksites. Just this October, 49-year-old construction worker Shane Cassavant was killed after being struck by an eastbound vehicle that entered the construction zone where he was working.

Meanwhile, in 2019, 50-year-old Paul Germano, another National Grid worker, was killed after being struck by an SUV while on the job. At the time of this particular tragedy, National Grid had reportedly not set up a work zone, nor were there any traffic cones, signs, or police detail present. Since 2017, National Grid has been cited for thirteen violations by OSHA, the majority of which were considered “serious.”

The tragic losses of Roderick Jackson and Paul Tracey also serve as an unfortunate reminder of the prevalence of transportation incidents in worker fatalities each year. In 2022, transportation incidents were the leading cause of death from injury for Massachusetts workers, comprising 48% of all worker deaths from injury.

In protecting workers at roadway work zones, all employers must follow the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), issued by the Federal Highway Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation: mutcd2009edition.pdf (dot.gov). Depending on the nature of the work being done, as well as the type of road that the work zone is located on, companies must follow specific MUTCD regulations to make sure their workers are sufficiently protected from hazards posed by traffic and passing vehicles.

“We are profoundly saddened to hear of the passing of Roderick Jackson and Paul Tracey,” said MassCOSH Chief of Strategy and Engagement Al Vega. “As members of USW Local 9358, we are sending our thoughts and prayers to our USW brothers and sisters who I know are dealing with the trauma of losing one of their own members. Struck-by incidents and, more generally, transportation incidents continue to be a very real threat to workers. We hope to honor the memory of these two workers by highlighting these trends and fighting to make sure companies do more to prevent such tragedies in the future.”