Rochester man charged in NH Air Guard commander's hit-and-run death
ROCHESTER — Police have made an arrest in the July 8 hit-and-run accident that resulted in the death of Brig. Gen. John Pogorek, commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard at Pease.
Paul Clement, 81, of Rochester, was arrested Tuesday and police announced the charges Friday. Pogorek, who resided in Strafford where his family operates a farm, was 57 years old.
Clement is charged with conduct after an accident/resulting in injury/death, a Class B felony. He was released on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Strafford County Superior Court on Sept. 2, at 8:30 a.m.
The Pogorek family was notified prior to the arrest being made public.
Clement was identified by police the night of the accident. Asked about the length of the investigation before the arrest, Rochester police Capt. Todd Pinkham said it involves a lot of factors.
"We look at the road alignment, for possible sight line issues," he said. "We look at other factors that could play a role, like speed. We had the tip on the driver early on but there are many factors to consider."
Pinkham said Clement's driver's license was not suspended as a result of the investigation.
On Monday July 8, at around 5:22 p.m., Rochester police, fire and Frisbie EMS responded to the area of Crown Point Road in Rochester for a report of a person being hit by a motor vehicle. Officers were told Pogorek had pulled his truck and trailer to the side of the road to fix a strap that was holding down hay he was hauling when a vehicle struck him, but did not stop and continued traveling down the road.
Pogorek was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident.
More: Brig. Gen. John Pogorek remembered by peer for leadership, as 'a farmer at heart'
Not long after, police received a tip that Clement was the driver of the vehicle that struck Pogorek. Police located Clement and impounded the vehicle.
The accident is still being actively investigated and may result in additional charges, police aid. Pinkham said police are still waiting for reports, which he did not identify, to be completed before making that decision.
It was not immediately known if Clement has an attorney.
Rochester police ask anyone with information to call the department at 603-330-7128. Tips can be reported anonymously by calling the Rochester Crime Line at 603-335-6500 or Text to: CRIMES (274637) with TEXT4CASH and your tip in the body of the text. Cash rewards are offered.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester man charged in NH Air Guard commander's hit-and-run death
