Driver Accused Of Seriously Injuring Children In Manchester Crash Is Held Without Bail

MANCHESTER, NH – A Manchester man accused in a devastating crash on Belmont Street that left multiple people injured and caused significant destruction appeared in court Friday.

Justin LeClair, 23, of Manchester, was arraigned via video from the Hillsborough County House of Corrections and is facing a litany of charges, including aggravated DWI, two counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and two counts of conduct after an accident.

Prosecutors detailed an account of the incident, stating LeClair was traveling the wrong way on Belmont Street from Massabesic Street at a high rate of speed when his silver Volvo sedan collided with a family crossing the street on Thursday. The father of the children, who was trying to cross the street, though struck himself, managed to pull three of the five children out of harm's way before impact. However, two young children sustained severe, life-threatening injuries.

Among the critically injured was an 11-month-old girl, identified in court documents as "R.C.," who is due to celebrate her first birthday on Saturday. The impact of the crash reportedly threw her car seat and the infant several yards.

The court heard the child went into cardiac arrest and was revived, only to go back into cardiac arrest five more times during treatment. She was subsequently airlifted by a DHART medical helicopter to another hospital for advanced care.

An 11-year-old, identified as "E.C.," also suffered life-threatening injuries, including fractures to the humerus, femur, and clavicle, a severe laceration, and a punctured lung. The father, who was also struck, was transported to the Elliot Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to police documents, LeClair allegedly fled the scene after the initial collision, with all four wheels of his vehicle reportedly leaving the ground as he hit a bump while attempting to escape. He then struck a pole before continuing north on Belmont Street, ultimately colliding with another vehicle and a fire hydrant at the intersection of Belmont and Hanover Street, police said.

Witnesses told police LeClair exited his Volvo and began walking away, even telling one witness he needed to go to the store. He was quickly detained by authorities and treated for visible injuries by Manchester Firefighters and AMR personnel before being transported to Catholic Medical Center (CMC) with non-life-threatening injuries.

At CMC, court documents state that LeClair admitted to driving the vehicle and claimed he was taking it for repairs. Officers described him as having "glassy eyes and odor of alcoholic beverage, which increased in intensity as he spoke." LeClair voluntarily consented to a blood sample, and during the process, he reportedly told an officer, "You won’t find any alcohol, only marijuana."

During the court appearance, prosecutors emphasized the gravity of the evidence.

LeClair's defense attorney, Alayna Trilling, argued for his limited criminal record and his status as a family man with children of his own. "It's not someone with a history of speeding, with a history of lies, with a history of reckless driving," Trilling stated. "It's someone who, in his 23 years, has never had any violent past."

LeClair reportedly asked the judge when he could see his own family, to which his attorney advised that they would discuss the matter privately.

The judge ordered LeClair to be held on preventive detention until his next hearing, which is scheduled in 10 days.

At this time, there has been no further update on the medical condition of the injured children beyond their initial life-threatening status.

Patch will provide updates as more information becomes available.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news