30-01-2025
Rochester man heads to trial this fall on charges connected to death of National Guard commander
Jan. 29—An 81-year-old Rochester man will head to trial in Strafford County Superior Court this fall on charges connected to a hit-and-run crash that killed the commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard back in July.
Paul Clement faces charges of negligent homicide, driving while intoxicated and conduct after an accident that caused the death of John Pogorek, 57.
Pogorek, a brigadier general, was parked along the side of Crown Point Road in Rochester with his teenage son about 5 p.m. July 8 when a westbound Toyota RAV4 struck him while he was out of the vehicle. His son was uninjured.
Jury selection has been scheduled for Nov. 3 with a final pretrial hearing taking place on Oct. 15. The dates were scheduled during a dispositional conference last week.
Police say surveillance footage and a tip helped identify Clement, who lives on Crown Point Road, as the driver.
The negligent homicide charge carries a sentence of 7 1/2 to 15 years in prison.
Pogorek commanded more than 1,300 officers and airmen at Pease Air National Guard Base and was the principal adviser to Gov. Chris Sununu on the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
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