BRENTWOOD — A man charged with seriously injuring a Windham police officer while fleeing from a bank robbery goes on trial Thursday, nearly three years after the high-speed pursuit along Interstate 93.

When prosecutors begin their opening arguments against Clint Pickering, 27, they will be allowed to tell jurors about his conviction in federal court for robbing the Bank of New England in Windham.

The robbery happened moments before Pickering allegedly drove the getaway car down the interstate, setting off a pursuit that reached speeds up to 100 mph, according to prosecutors.

Windham Police Officer Jason Dzierlatka was laying down a tire-puncturing device in front of the getaway car when he was clipped and sent spinning, according to police.

Dzierlatka sustained a broken left foot and had to endure multiple surgeries and skin grafts. Two other Salem police officers were also almost struck during the pursuit, according to indictments.

Pickering and his partner, Patrick McKeen, were arrested after crashing into another car and leading police on a foot chase just over the state line.

Pickering was indicted on 10 charges, including second-degree assault, reckless conduct and criminal threatening.

The most serious charge carries up to a 10- to 30-year state prison term.

Pickering, formerly of Epsom, is already serving a 137-month federal sentence for his role in the bank robbery.

If he is convicted on state charges for the pursuit, it remains to be seen whether a sentence will lengthen his prison term.

McKeen received a suspended 3½- to 7-year prison sentence last November in superior court for falsifying physical evidence, adding no time to his 10½ -year federal sentence.

That decision provoked anger among Windham police officers who attended McKeen's sentencing.

On Monday, a jury was selected for Pickering's trial.

Pickering is expected to call upon an accident reconstruction expert to testify on his behalf.

But a judge barred an effort by the defense to have McKeen, who is now in federal prison, testify as a witness.

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James A. Kimble may be reached at JKimble@newstote.com.