Mother in Franklin crash has died from her injuries, Norfolk County DA says

FRANKLIN, Mass. (WLNE) — The mother of the five-year-old child who died in a crash in Franklin on May 24 has died from her injuries, according to the office of Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

On May 24, a five-year-old girl was killed and her two family members were hospitalized with serious injuries after a truck and the family’s vehicle collided on Grove Street.

38-year-old Minaben Patel, of Franklin, was hospitalized after the crash. On Tuesday, officials confirmed she had died from her injuries.

Patel’s son remains in the hospital. There is no update on his condition.

According to WCVB, Franklin police said the driver of the truck, 21-year-old James Blanchard, allegedly had multiple containers of vodka and beer in his truck, and that his blood alcohol level was .189, which is more than double the legal limit. Additionally, the station reported that investigators said Blanchard’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” and allege his breath smelled of alcohol.

Blanchard was 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, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and a marked lanes violation.