In New Hampshire, a girl and her 11-year-old sister were struck by an alleged intoxicated driver while crossing the street on their way to the park, resulting in the girl’s death on her first birthday.
According to a press release from the Manchester Police Department, Justin LaClair, 23, is being charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, negligent conduct, and conduct after an accident, which is the Granite State’s equivalent of a hit-and-run offense.
Police were dispatched to the vicinity of Lake Avenue and Belmont Street on Thursday at approximately 4:00 p.m. in response to a reported collision. The two girls, who were suffering from severe injuries, were discovered by law enforcement. Paramedics promptly transported them to the hospital. Moments later, officers were informed of a subsequent collision involving the same vehicle, which occurred a few blocks away. According to law enforcement, LaClair was present and attempted to flee the location; however, she was apprehended.
The Manchester police department announced that Rebecca Cole passed away at a Boston hospital on Saturday, the day of her first birthday. Her sibling is still receiving treatment at a hospital for her severe injuries.
The New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper reports that the infant appears to have sustained a fractured neck, as evidenced by court documents. According to reports, her sister sustained a perforated lung, a broken arm, and a fractured femur and clavicle.
LaClair allegedly confessed to the police that he had been drinking and that he did not recall striking the infant.
According to reports, the girls were reportedly seen flying through the air after the collision, and LaClair allegedly sped away. This information was obtained from surveillance video of the incident.
“He is going at such a speed that when he crosses over one of the streets, the car actually goes airborne,” Carl Olson, Hillsborough County assistant prosecutor, reportedly said at LaClair’s arraignment. “That is the kind of speed he is going.”
Steven Cole spent Father’s Day on Sunday mourning the loss of his daughter and the severe injuries sustained by his other daughter.
At a hearing, LaClair’s counsel contended that her client should be granted a bond due to his lack of a violent history and his lack of a history of reckless driving.
However, the judge disagreed and directed that LeClair remain in custody without bond.
