A tragic incident in New Hampshire has left a family devastated after a drunk driver allegedly ran over two young girls, killing one of them on her first birthday.
Justin LaClair, 23, faces multiple charges, including aggravated driving while intoxicated, reckless conduct, and conduct after an accident, following the deadly collision.
A Horrible Accident on a Special Day
On Thursday afternoon, around 4 p.m., Manchester police responded to a collision at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Belmont Street. Two young girls, ages 1 and 11, were crossing the street on their way to a nearby park when they were struck by a car.
Both girls were severely injured and rushed to the hospital. Tragically, Rebecca Cole, the 1-year-old, passed away from her injuries at a Boston hospital on Saturday—just days after celebrating her first birthday.
Her older sister, 11-year-old, suffered multiple serious injuries, including a broken arm, femur, clavicle, and a punctured lung. She is still receiving treatment at a hospital.
The Drunk Driver’s Reckless Actions
The driver of the car, later identified as Justin LaClair, continued driving after hitting the two girls. Shortly after the first crash, police discovered that LaClair had been involved in a second collision a few blocks away, where he tried to walk away from the scene.
Officers quickly apprehended him. LaClair reportedly admitted to drinking and claimed that he didn’t remember hitting the child.
Surveillance footage of the crash showed the girls being violently thrown into the air upon impact, with LaClair allegedly speeding away from the scene. Authorities stated that LaClair’s car was going so fast that it went airborne as he crossed over a street.
Heartbreaking Loss for the Family
The devastating loss has left the family in mourning, with Rebecca’s father, Steven Cole, speaking at a vigil on Sunday. He expressed his grief and lamented the loss of his daughter. “Why, why take away my little girl?” he said through tears. “All we wanted to do was go to the park and play.”
LaClair’s Arrest and Legal Proceedings
At LaClair’s arraignment, the prosecution emphasized the dangerous speed at which he was driving. Despite his attorney’s argument for a bond due to his lack of a prior criminal record, the judge decided that LaClair should remain in jail without bond, given the severity of the charges and the nature of the crime.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the tragic consequences of drunk driving and the extreme danger it poses to innocent lives. The family is left grieving the loss of their young daughter and hoping for the recovery of the surviving sister.
As the legal process moves forward, LaClair faces serious charges for his reckless and deadly actions.
