Alleged victim in hit-and-run investigation fails to appear in court on drug charges

Joe LeClair, 35, who was arrested two years ago for possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to traffic, failed to appear in court in Barrie on Tuesday.

LeClair and his partner Michelle Vainer were the victims of an alleged hit-and-run last month, according to police in Midland.

Investigators said Vainer was hit by a car and was taken to hospital in Toronto in serious condition. The driver allegedly drove off the scene, but police say the involved vehicle was recovered hours later.

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The two accused in the alleged hit-and-run, Patrick McGuire and Georgia Quanbury, were tracked down by the OPP and taken into custody.

McGuire is charged with two counts of attempted murder, along with dangerous driving causing bodily harm and leaving the scene of the crash, which police said took place at about 3:40 a.m. on August 12 along Wellington Street near Robert Street in Midland.

Quanbury was charged with being an accessory after the fact to attempted murder.

LeClair has a history of drug charges dating back several years.

He’s been scheduled in plea court in Barrie for weeks, and Justice Nancy Dawson adjourned his matter with a bench warrant for his arrest not to be executed until his next court date. The Crown told the court it is aware of his current circumstances.

Meanwhile, McGuire and Quanbury remain jailed in Penetanguishene and seek bail.

The allegations against McGuire and Quanbury have not been tested in court.

According to court documents, Quanbury has a lengthy criminal record, having been arrested every year since 2017.

The accused is scheduled to make his next appearance in two weeks. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.