A devastating tragedy unfolded in Manchester, New Hampshire, after a baby girl celebrating her first birthday was killed—and her 11-year-old sister seriously injured—when an alleged drunk driver plowed into them as they were crossing the street on their way to the park.
Police say 23-year-old Justin LaClair struck the two girls just before 4 p.m. Thursday near Lake Avenue and Belmont Street. According to authorities, LaClair didn’t stop after the crash and was later found several blocks away after a second collision, allegedly trying to walk away from the scene. He was promptly arrested.
Rebecca Cole, the youngest victim, died two days later at a Boston hospital—on what would have been her very first birthday. Her older sister is still hospitalized with multiple severe injuries, including a broken arm, femur, clavicle, and a punctured lung.
Court documents cited by the New Hampshire Union Leader report the infant appeared to suffer a broken neck from the impact. Disturbing surveillance footage reportedly shows the girls being thrown into the air by the force of the crash.
LaClair allegedly told police he had been drinking before getting behind the wheel and claimed he didn’t remember hitting anyone. At his arraignment, Hillsborough County Assistant Prosecutor Carl Olson painted a harrowing picture of LaClair’s reckless speed, saying the car actually went airborne when crossing an intersection.
“He is going at such a speed that when he crosses over one of the streets, the car actually goes airborne,” Olson said in court.
Rebecca’s father, Steven Cole, spoke through tears at a vigil held over Father’s Day weekend, grieving both his baby daughter and his injured child.
“I tried to save you,” he said of Rebecca. “Why, why take away my little girl? All we wanted to do was go to the park and play.”
LaClair has been charged with aggravated DWI, reckless conduct, and conduct after an accident — New Hampshire’s equivalent of a hit-and-run. Despite his attorney arguing he had no prior violent or reckless history, a judge denied him bond, ordering that he remain in jail.
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Author: thedailycrime1
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