Drunk driving crash in Franklin kills mother and young girl
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.
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San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Mt. Tam railroad's last survivor restored and ready for new role at California museum
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The engine was delivered in a five-vehicle parade from Sebastopol to Sacramento, led by Sheedy Drayage of San Francisco, which transported the 36-ton load of iron and steel, free of charge. 'To be invited to the CSRM is like having a vintage car invited to show at the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach,' Runner said. 'It's a very rare thing that just doesn't happen. But it did.' As a teaser for the railroad museum display, No. 9 was brought by the same Sheedy Drayage trailer to the Mill Valley Depot over Memorial Day weekend. It made its public premiere in the town parade, with its bell ringing and the whistle blowing and smoke coming out of the engine. 'There was a tremendous display of enthusiasm by people who loved the engine and thought it should stay at the depot,' Runner said. But by then the train was already rolling to Sacramento, a commitment made a year ago, when it was still in mid-restoration at a workshop. That was a job that took five years from the moment it was purchased at auction up near Eureka, where it had sat out in the weather gathering rust for 62 years. 'We are lucky that there is this marvelous group of obsessives that tracks these old steam engines,' said Runner, who led a team that outbid five other obsessive parties to muster up the winning bid of $56,240 to buy No. 9. There were 15 members of the bidding party, most of whom were devoted to the lore of the old Mount Tam railroad line and knew this was the last remaining piece of it. 'There is this whole fabric of stories about the lore of Mount Tam, and the railroad is at the center of it,' said Runner, a movie sound mixer who worked on 'Basic Instinct,' 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' 'Total Recall' and most recently 'Top Gun: Maverick,' which won an Academy Award for sound two years ago. 'As a moviemaker I'm interested in stories, and the stories about Mount Tam are tremendous,' Runner said. 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UPI
2 days ago
- UPI
Girl, 9. dies after incident in Hersheypark's wave pool
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Axios
2 days ago
- Axios
Drowning deaths are rising in Virginia waters. Here's how to stay safe
Thirteen children under the age of five have died from drowning in Virginia so far this year, state health officials tell Axios. Why it matters: It's a heartbreaking number by any measure, and reason enough to dedicate some space to drowning prevention tips on this World Drowning Prevention Day, especially given the incoming high heat. Threat level: Of the 13 drowning deaths of children under the age of five this year, nine have happened in swimming pools and since Memorial Day, VDH tells Axios. That's the highest number of annual child drowning deaths in the state since at least 2021. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, according to the CDC. But it's not just children. There have been 23 other drowning deaths in the state so far this year, per preliminary data from VDH. Stunning stat: Nearly 500 people died from accidental drowning in Virginia between 2020 and 2024, per VDH. What they're saying: "This increase that we've seen is tragic," Briana Bill, VDH's environmental health coordinator, tells Axios. "We're just trying to do whatever it is that we can to educate people and empower them to take care of each other and to watch out for each other." Zoom in: Here's what you need to know to keep yourself and family safe, according to Bill. 🪜Know what drowning looks like — a person's mouth is usually at water level, they are quiet and they look like they're climbing a ladder. 👀 Do not leave children unsupervised in any water at any time: "If your eyes aren't on them, get them out of the water," she says. 🚫 Restrict access to pools with gates and fences, including by removing the ladder from above-ground pools. 🛟 Teach your kids to swim, and if they don't know how, use Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Arm floaties, water wings and pool noodles are toys, not life-saving devices. 😮💨 Know CPR. "Bystander-initiated is the most effective way" to save someone who's drowning. 🌊 If you're on the James, be mindful of your surroundings. "Your spot may not move, but the river does," as do debris, downed trees and other hazards. The bottom line: If you're in the water or in charge of children in the water, be alert, keep an eye out for each other, and don't leave children unattended.
