Child killed in Franklin alleged DUI crash identified by family, honored at memorial

A roadside memorial now marks the site of a crash in Franklin where 5-year-old Krisha Patel died Saturday evening. According to relatives, two of her family members remain hospitalized. 

Her family’s car was hit by an alleged drunk driver Saturday evening near the intersection of Grove Street and Beaver Street, also leaving her mother and brother in critical condition. 

Speaking at a vigil Wednesday, family members told NBC10 Boston that they don’t believe Krisha’s mother will make it, but they believe her 14-year-old brother will survive. 

James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Tuesday. 

Authorities are charging him with one count of motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence, two counts of driving under the influence causing serious injury, one count of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and one count of possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Court documents say Blanchard is being held on $250,000 cash bail. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 24. 

According to a Franklin Police report, at around 6:22 p.m., Franklin Police responded to the area of 76 Grove St. for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Police found a truck in the middle of the road and a sedan off the road, slightly up a hill. 

Both Krisha Patel and her mother, Minaben Patel, were found on the ground next to the car. First responders medflighted Krisha to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Minaben and her son, who was not identified, were transported to UMass-Memorial Medical Center and remain in critical condition. 

The father, Atulkumar Patel, who was driving the sedan, appeared “panic-stricken” and “unable to keep himself composed,” the police report said. 

Atulkumar Patel told police that he was driving the family to Blackstone for his son’s birthday when he saw a truck driving in his lane. He tried to avoid being hit by turning left into the opposite lane of travel, but the vehicles ended up colliding. 

When police spoke with Blanchard, the driver of the truck, he explained that he was driving home from work when “all of a sudden there was a crash,” the police report said. Police described Blanchard as slurring his speech. 

Police reported finding two 1.75-liter “handles” of vodka and beers in his truck. A blood alcohol content test showed 0.189%, according to police. The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08%. 

Blanchard’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. 

Beth Treffeisen

Reporter

Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.