The death of the NH National Guard commander has been charged with negligent homicide

ROCHESTER — Paul Clement, a Rochester man previously accused of hit-and-run accident who took the life of a New Hampshire National Guard commander in Pisa has now been charged with negligent homicide.

Clement, 81, is charged with Class A negligent homicide and Class B conduct after an accident. The July 8 crash on Crown Point Road resulted in a fatality Brig. General John Pogorek57, Strafford.

Class A felonies are punishable by 7.5-15 years in prison if convicted.

The indictment said a Strafford County grand jury found enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Clement said he had been drinking before the crash and passed out

When he was arrested in August, Clement told police he had been drinking at a local bar before the fatal crash and “passed out” during the crash, according to court documents.

Strafford County Prosecutor Emily Garrod said Clement is scheduled to be arraigned in Strafford County Superior Court at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Klement remains free on personal recognizance. He is represented by attorney Andrew Cotrupi, who could not be reached for comment.

On the day of the crash, Pogorek’s son told officers he had pulled his truck and trailer to the side of the road to fix a strap holding the hay he was hauling when he was hit by a car, police said. According to him, the car did not stop and continued on the road.

Clement was interviewed by police detective Matthew Fleshers at his home on the night of the crash. Clement’s grown son called 911 to report that his father told him he had been in an accident on Crown Point Road.

Clement told a detective that he had two cocktails at Club Victoire before the crash, “passed out” and thought he had hit a car before freaking out and driving home, according to a police affidavit written by Flatters.

Clement told Fleshers that he had a rum drink around 4:00 p.m. and another at 4:30 a.m. and stayed at the bar until about 5 or 5:15 p.m. According to the police, the fatal accident happened around 5:22 p.m.

Clement told police he felt dizzy before leaving the bar. The detective asked him if he thought alcohol was affecting him, and he said, “I do,” and stated that he was not affected by alcohol.

Clement told Fleshers he knew he hit the car and said to himself “(expletive) I’m going home. I’m in trouble.” After he got home, he also reported that he told his son that he was “deep (expletive)” because he crashed the car.

Flezers said video footage at the Victory Club confirms Flezers was there before the crash.

Police also collected evidence, including a piece of the mirror they believe came off Clement’s red Toyota RAV4 during the crash, and witness statements.

Clement’s car was impounded and police say they found damage to the front right corner of the Toyota. Broken glass of the front right headlight; there was a crack from the bottom of the car going up the right side of the fender. There is significant damage near the front right headlight, the front right panel is hanging from the car. The passenger side mirror is damaged and there is damage along the right side.

This article originally appeared on the Fosters Daily Democrat: Manslaughter charged in death of NH Air Guard soldier John Pogorek