Relatives say Franklin family was picking up birthday cake before fatal crash

FRANKLIN, Mass. (WLNE) — A memorial on Grove Street continued to grow Tuesday night as mourners who laid out flowers and teddy bears in memory of a 5-year-old girl from Franklin learned that her mother died too.

Relatives spoke with ABC6 off-camera Tuesday, saying the family was on their way to pick up a birthday cake at the time of the crash on May 24.

Officials said a pickup truck driven by 21-year-old James Blanchard collided with the family’s sedan, seriously injuring 38-year-old Minaben Patel and her son.

The Norfolk County District Attorney announced on May 25 that Patel’s 5-year-old daughter Krisha was killed in the crash, with her mom dying just nine days later.

The children’s father was also taken to the hospital, but wasn’t badly hurt, according to police.

Family members said the crash happened on the son’s 15th birthday, and the father had originally planned to travel by himself to pick out a cake.

But in a tragic twist of fate, relatives told ABC6 that the daughter stopped her dad to ask if all four family members could come along for the ride.

They were hit by Blanchard’s truck on the way to the bakery.

Police said Blanchard had multiple containers of alcohol in the vehicle, and his blood alcohol was more than twice the legal limit.

He will now be charged with two counts of motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence.

A vigil will be held at the site of the crash Thursday night at 6 p.m.