Mother and daughter die from drunk driving crash in Franklin
- James Blanchard, 21, was allegedly driving drunk when he hit Minaben Patel's car head-on.
- Minaben Patel, 38, and her daughter Krisha, 5, died as a result of the crash, leaving the family in deep mourning.
- The community held a vigil to honor the mother and daughter, highlighting the tragic impact on a once joyous occasion.
In Franklin, Massachusetts, a tragic car crash on May 24 claimed the lives of a mother and her five-year-old daughter. Minaben Patel, 38, was driving with her family to celebrate her son’s birthday when their vehicle was struck head-on by a pickup truck driven by 21-year-old James Blanchard, who is suspected of drunk driving. Blanchard was reportedly weaving in and out of traffic and had two bottles of vodka in his truck, with a blood alcohol level of 0.189, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 in Massachusetts. Following the impact, five-year-old Krisha Patel died instantly, while her mother fought for her life for nine days before succumbing to her injuries in the hospital. The father, who was behind the wheel, survived but has not yet been given an update on his conditions. The Patel family, originally celebrating a special occasion, faced a devastating loss. Community members organized a vigil to honor Minaben and Krisha, showing solidarity with the grieving family. People who did not know the Patels expressed their sorrow and frustration regarding the situation, emphasizing that Franklin, known for its safety, should not be a place where such tragedy occurs. The accused, James Blanchard, has been charged with multiple offenses including motor vehicle homicide and is currently held on a $250,000 bail after pleading not guilty. As the community mourns, they are left questioning the circumstances that allowed such a loss to happen and advocating for justice for the Patel family.