Latest news with #KrishaPatel
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Man charged in Franklin crash faces second count of motor vehicle homicide
The man accused of causing the death of a 5-year-old in an alleged drunken driving crash in Franklin is now charged with killing the girl's mother. Second count of motor vehicle homicide James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was arraigned Tuesday in Wrentham District Court on an additional count of motor vehicle homicide for the death of Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, who was also a passenger in the car that Blanchard hit. Minaben Patel, her daughter, 5-year-old Krisha Patel, her husband and son were driving on Grove Street in Franklin on May 24 to celebrate the boy's birthday when a pickup truck driven by Blanchard hit them. Police said Blanchard was drunk at the time of the accident. Minaben and Krisha Patel Courtesy photo Mother and daughter killed in crash Krisha Patel was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Ten days later, Minaben Patel died from her injuries. The father, who was driving the car, was treated and released. The boy was hospitalized with critical injuries. Prosecutor Christopher Meade said Blanchard had two bottles of vodka in the truck and was drinking from one of them before the crash. He was arrested and, according to police, had a blood alcohol level of 0.189. The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08. Blanchard was arraigned on May 27 on motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently under the influence of alcohol and other charges related to the death of Krisha Patel. He has pleaded not guilty to both counts of motor vehicle homicide.
CBS News
06-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Franklin mourns mother, 5-year-old daughter killed in crash by alleged drunk driver
A Vigil was held in Franklin to remember the mother and her little girl killed by a man charged with driving drunk. Minaben Patel, 38, and her 5-year-old daughter Krisha were honored while the heartbroken community is praying for surviving family members. Vigil for mother and daughter With the community lifting him up and praying for him, 14-year-old Kunj Patel limped out of a wheelchair to leave flowers at the place where he survived a horrific crash, but it took the life of his 5-year-old sister and his mom. "The family is in deep pain right now," said Kiran Kumar Patel. "We just crying, 'why God you did this' because it was just a nice innocent family you know this is not the time to take away two family members." Minaben and Krisha Patel Family photo May 24 should have been a joyous ride for the Patel family to buy a birthday cake for the 14-year-old son, but investigators say suspected drunk driver James Blanchard, 21, crossed the center line and hit their car head on along Grove Street. The dad survived; Krisha died at the hospital that night and for 9 days Minaben fought for her life, but she died from her injuries. Even people who didn't know the Patel family wanted to show their love and support after hearing about the terrible crash. "We heard about the accident, and it fractured us, it's terrible. We didn't know them but we're all one family in the world," said community member Nancy Dowd. Memorial for Minaben Patel and her 5-year-old daughter Krisha who were killed in a crash in Franklin, Massachusetts. CBS Boston "When I saw the news, I was pained," said Saed Ahmed. "I have a 5-year-old daughter, and it really touched me, and I cannot imagine how the family is coping with this." A community is now left weighed down by the tragedy and pain of the lives taken too soon. "Why did this have to happen in Franklin, one of the safest communities in Massachusetts," said community member Frank Falvey. Blanchard faces several charges including motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and is being held on a $250,000 bail.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Remembrance service set for beloved mother killed in Franklin crash by accused drunk driver
Family and friends of a beloved mother killed in a crash by an accused drunk driver in Franklin over Memorial Day weekend are set to gather Thursday night for a remembrance service. The family of Minaben Patel has invited the community to honor her life at a service at the crash site at 72 Grove Street in Franklin at 6 p.m. 'Together, we remember and celebrate a life marked by love, kindness, and quiet strength,' an announcement on the Town of Medway's Facebook page read. Patel, 38, of Franklin, died days after the May 24 crash that killed her daughter, Krisha Patel, 5, according to the district attorney and a Facebook post by the SAFE Coalition on Tuesday afternoon. The Town of Medway also released a statement on Patel's passing and shared a photo of the late mother holding her daughter, Krisha Patel. 'With deep sadness, we share the heartbreaking news that Minaben Patel, beloved mother of Krisha Patel,' the statement read. 'Minaben was a devoted mother, a loving wife, and a dear friend to many.' 'The Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Franklin Police Department are saddened by the loss to Minaben's family, and we extend our heartfelt condolences,' Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch said in a joint statement Tuesday. Another vigil was held for Krisha Patel at the crash site last Wednesday. 'We would like to share, through the family's wishes, that Minaben Patel, mother of sweet Krisha, has passed away,' the SAFE Coalition said in its post. 'Minaben's family is again deeply thankful for all the love and support shared over the last week,' the group said. 'They invite the community to honor this amazing Mother, Wife, Family Member, and friend this Thursday for a service of remembrance.' The driver accused in the fatal crash, James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail following his arraignment on May 27. A not guilty plea was entered on Blanchard's behalf. He is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and marked lanes violation, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. It was immediately unclear Tuesday if Blanchard would face additional charges in the case. During his arraignment, prosecutor Christopher Meade said Blanchard told police he had two beers while at a landscaping job on Saturday, May 24 after working that morning at his job as a mechanic. When he left his landscaping job, he opened a 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka. He began drinking straight out of the bottle and drove home in his truck, Meade said during the arraignment in Wrentham District Court. Investigators later found a second, empty 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's in his truck that Blanchard told police was 'from the night before,' Meade said. While driving home around 6:22 p.m. Saturday, May 24, Blanchard crashed into a Honda Accord carrying a family of four on Grove Street in Franklin, Meade said. They were going to Blackstone for a family birthday party. The 5-year-old girl died following the crash, Meade said. Her mother and brother were taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The brother's condition was not known on Tuesday. Her father, the driver of the Honda, was treated and released. Defense attorney Timothy Flaherty had asked the court during Blanchard's arraignment to impose a lesser amount of $10,000 cash bail, with conditions for his release to include electronic monitoring and that he enter an alcohol rehabilitation center. 'It's probably the right place for this young man at this time,' Flaherty said during the arraignment. 'It's a significant case but significant penalties. But I can tell the court that this young man is not a risk of flight.' An autopsy will be performed to determine a cause of Minaben Patel's death, the district attorney said. Meanwhile, services were held for Krisha Patel on May 31, according to the girl's obituary. 'Our hearts are broken as we say goodbye to such a precious little soul. In her short time with us, she filled the world with laughter, wonder, and love,' her obituary states. 'Her smile could brighten the darkest day, and her kind heart touched everyone she met.' 'Though her time here was far too brief, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of all who loved her,' her obituary states. 'We will carry her memory with us always - like a beautiful, shining star in the sky. May she rest peacefully, wrapped in love and light.' The crash remains under investigation by Franklin Police, the Norfolk District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Massachusetts double tragedy as girl, 5, and her 38-year-old mom die after horrific drunk driver crash
A five-year-old girl and her mother have died after a motorist who had allegedly been drinking straight vodka ploughed into their vehicle in Massachusetts. Minaben Patel, 38, and her daughter, Krisha, succumbed to their injuries after police say drunk driver James Blanchard, 21, struck their Honda Accord with his pickup truck on Memorial Day weekend. They were flung from their car due to the impact, prosecutors said. Patel's son, Kunj, and her husband, Atulkumar, were also in the vehicle but survived. The horror unfolded just after 6.20pm on May 24, which was part of the federal holiday weekend, and Kunj's fourteenth birthday. Prosecutors said Blanchard opened a 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka and began drinking straight out of the bottle shortly before the crash. Investigators also found a second 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka in his vehicle. Blanchard, a landscaper and mechanic, told police he had two beers while at a job in Plainville that morning, and said the vodka bottles were 'from the night before'. He appeared in court on May 27 handcuffed while sporting long hair and a beard. Blanchard watched intently from the defendant's box as lawyers outlined the case. Prosecutor Christopher Meade described the scene of the crash, which unfolded on Grove Street in Franklin, around 30 miles south-west of Boston. He said police officers who were called to the street saw a pickup truck in the middle of the road, and the Patel family's Honda 'off to the side of the road'. Meade said Minaben and Krisha were on the ground suffering horrific injuries after appearing to have been flung from their vehicle. Officers performed CPR. Atulkumar, who had been driving, was trapped inside the car with his son Kung. The Patel family were rushed to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment. Krisha died that night. Blanchard was found 'with a small amount of blood on his nose', Meade said. 'His eyes were bloodshot and glassy,' he added. Officers noted that he 'didn't remember much' and 'had slurred speech', while attempting to direct his face away from officers so they could not smell the alcohol. His blood alcohol level came back .19, Meade said, more than twice the legal limit for driving in Massachusetts. Blanchard said he tried to swerve to avoid the Honda during interviews with police the day after the collision. Horrific images from the scene show the front of his pickup truck was crumpled by the impact, while the Patel family's car was smashed in on one side. Blanchard has been charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of operating under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury. He is also accused of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and a marked lanes violation. 'Krishna's kind spirit, big smile and loving heart will be deeply missed,' a flyer for her memorial service reads.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Drunk driving crash in Franklin kills mother and young girl
FRANKLIN, Mass. (WWLP) – The mother of the young girl who was killed in an alleged drunk driving crash last week has also died. Chicopee woman charged with arson following Belcher Street fire The Memorial Day weekend crash in Franklin killed five-year-old Krisha Patel and badly injured her mother and brother. Police say 21-year-old James Blanchard caused the crash pleaded not guilty to charges of motor vehicle homicide, drunken driving, and negligent operation. The death of the mother, 38-year-old Minaben Patel, was announced Tuesday, according to NBC Boston. There was no update on the condition of Patel's son, Krisha's brother, on Tuesday. The father, who was driving, was also hurt but was released from the hospital after treatment. Prosecutors say the family was on their way to the son's birthday party at the time of the crash. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
