Rochester woman gets prison time for hit-and-run that injured man out jogging

Karen Dandurant, Fosters Daily Democrat
·2 min read
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DOVER — Joyce Howard, who was convicted in a 2021 hit-and-run accident that left a Rochester man seriously injured, was taken into custody Monday after being sentenced to prison.

Howard, now 70, of McDuffee Street in Rochester, was arrested more than a week after the Oct. 11, 2021, accident. She struck Mat Lefebvre, then 36, while he was jogging on North Main Street in Rochester.

Howard was sentenced to serve 1.5 to 3 years in prison Monday by Strafford County Superior Court Judge Daniel E. Will. The sentence came in the form of two 1.5- to 3-year sentences to be served concurrently. She was convicted Feb. 28 for two Class B felonies: conduct after an accident and second-degree assault.

Joyce Howard, 69, of Rochester was taken into custody Monday, May 1, 2023, after being sentenced for a hit-and-run in Rochester in 2021.
Joyce Howard, 69, of Rochester was taken into custody Monday, May 1, 2023, after being sentenced for a hit-and-run in Rochester in 2021.

Rochester man still recovering from 2021 accident

It has been a long road for Mat Lefebvre. He has endured several surgeries and was out of work for several months. In March of this year, he said he still wasn't able to resume jogging.

"I had surgery on my ankle," he said at the time. "I tried running again but that didn't go well. I still have a lot of pain issues and we are hopeful this surgery might help with that. I am hoping I will be able to run again someday. I have physical therapy two times a week."

Lefebvre's initial injuries included head trauma and shattered vertebrae, requiring multiple surgeries, according to his wife, Nicole, who has been a vocal advocate for her husband since the accident.

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Mat Lefebvre and his wife, Nicole, speaking at their Rochester home Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, describe how their lives have changed since Mat was struck by a vehicle while jogging.
Mat Lefebvre and his wife, Nicole, speaking at their Rochester home Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, describe how their lives have changed since Mat was struck by a vehicle while jogging.
Mat Lefebvre shows injuries to his head during an interview at his Rochester home Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.
Mat Lefebvre shows injuries to his head during an interview at his Rochester home Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.

Lefebvre previously said, "There was damage to (Howard's) car consistent with her running over my body."

Attempts to reach Mat and Nicole Lefebvre on Monday were not immediately successful.

Previous story: Rochester woman guilty in hit-and-run of jogger; Lefebvre family grateful to community

Howard's attorney considers options

Attorney Stu Dedopoulos, representing Howard, said Monday he previously filed to have the second-degree assault charge vacated. He said that decision is still pending and it could affect a future restitution hearing.

Dedopolous said he and Howard are considering an appeal of both convictions to the state Supreme Court. He said Howard had been free on bail prior to her sentencing Monday.

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Lawsuit against Howard is in process

The Lefebvre family has a civil lawsuit against Howard that is pending. They allege she "negligently failed to exercise reasonable care in failing to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians, failed to operate her vehicle in a safe and prudent manner, failed to properly maintain control of her vehicle and failed to otherwise obey the statutory and common law duties of the State of New Hampshire."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester NH hit-and-run: Joyce Howard sentenced to prison