A 24-year-old Manchester man was sentenced Wednesday to 20 to 40 years in state prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges in a June 2025 crash that killed 11-month-old Rebecca Cole and left her 11-year-old sister with catastrophic injuries. Justin LaClair struck the girls and their family as they walked toward a neighborhood park, then kept driving for several more blocks before crashing into another vehicle.
LaClair pleaded guilty to manslaughter, first-degree assault, aggravated driving under the influence, and reckless conduct in Hillsborough County Superior Court, according to WMUR. A judge agreed with prosecutors' recommendation of at least 20 years behind bars, finalizing a negotiated plea deal a year after the crash that tore through a quiet stretch of Manchester's Lake Avenue and Belmont Street. Per Manchester Ink Link, the crash led to felony charges against LaClair.
Court documents described the horror in stark detail: at the time of the June 12, 2025 crash, LaClair was driving a silver Volvo sedan at speeds up to 70 mph, ran multiple stop signs, and sent his vehicle airborne before striking the children near Lake Avenue and Belmont Street, according to the same account. The collision happened at 3:56 p.m. in a residential area as the children were walking to a neighborhood park.
An Infant's First Birthday Turns Into a Fight for Life
Rebecca Cole was taken to a Boston hospital, where she died on June 14, 2025 — her first birthday. She had initially been found unresponsive at the scene with suspected neck fractures.
Rebecca was in a stroller when the sisters were hit; their father was walking the children and trying to pull them out of harm's way. According to Law&Crime, Ellen suffered a fractured femur, a fractured humerus, a fractured clavicle, and a punctured lung, injuries that required multiple complex surgeries. WMUR's report simply noted that Rebecca's sister suffered broken bones, while the more detailed court account paints a fuller picture of trauma inflicted in a matter of seconds.
An off-duty Manchester firefighter who happened to be near the scene rushed to render emergency first aid to the unresponsive infant, per CBS News. Neighbors and bystanders also ran into the street to help after hearing the impact.
A Rage-Fueled Flight Through the City
Investigators say LaClair had been involved in a domestic dispute at his Chestnut Street residence before the crash and was impaired by intoxicating liquor, according to Law&Crime's reporting on court filings. LaClair told police after his arrest that he did not remember striking the pedestrians.
After hitting the family, prosecutors say LaClair drove several more blocks before crashing into a car. The fuller account from Manchester Ink Link's reporting on court filings describes LaClair speeding for several blocks, his vehicle becoming airborne, colliding with another vehicle, crashing into a utility pole, and then attempting to flee before officers arrested him. The driver of that second vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Family Says Forgiveness Does Not Erase the Loss
Rebecca's father, Steven Cole, addressed LaClair in court, saying his family will carry the pain for a lifetime and telling him directly that his going to jail will not take the pain away from them. The family said they forgave LaClair but cannot forget what happened. LaClair, for his part, told the court he never meant for the crash to happen and said he was sorry.
Cole also spoke during testimony, according to Manchester Ink Link. The girls had been walking to a park when LaClair's car came barreling toward them.
Sentencing Reflects State's Toughest Statutes
The case involved manslaughter and aggravated DWI charges under New Hampshire law, according to Justia Law. LaClair's guilty plea resolved the case without a trial.
The case involved speeding and driving while impaired.
