Latest news with #MinabenPatel
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Man charged in Franklin crash faces second count of motor vehicle homicide
The man accused of causing the death of a 5-year-old in an alleged drunken driving crash in Franklin is now charged with killing the girl's mother. Second count of motor vehicle homicide James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was arraigned Tuesday in Wrentham District Court on an additional count of motor vehicle homicide for the death of Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, who was also a passenger in the car that Blanchard hit. Minaben Patel, her daughter, 5-year-old Krisha Patel, her husband and son were driving on Grove Street in Franklin on May 24 to celebrate the boy's birthday when a pickup truck driven by Blanchard hit them. Police said Blanchard was drunk at the time of the accident. Minaben and Krisha Patel Courtesy photo Mother and daughter killed in crash Krisha Patel was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Ten days later, Minaben Patel died from her injuries. The father, who was driving the car, was treated and released. The boy was hospitalized with critical injuries. Prosecutor Christopher Meade said Blanchard had two bottles of vodka in the truck and was drinking from one of them before the crash. He was arrested and, according to police, had a blood alcohol level of 0.189. The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08. Blanchard was arraigned on May 27 on motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently under the influence of alcohol and other charges related to the death of Krisha Patel. He has pleaded not guilty to both counts of motor vehicle homicide.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Massachusetts leads the nation with second-highest rise in alcohol-impaired deaths, study says
A new study has found that Massachusetts leads the nation with the second highest rise in alcohol-impaired fatalities. Researchers with Nevada-based H&P Law analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the firm said in a statement. The study analyzed the rise and fall of alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities across all 50 U.S. states, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2023 report on motor vehicle crashes. By examining the proportion of alcohol-related deaths per 100 total crash fatalities in both 2022 and 2023, the study calculated the year-over-year percentage change in each state. 'This study highlights where DUI-related deaths are surging and where improvements have been made,' researchers said. Massachusetts ranks second with a more than 20% increase in alcohol-impaired fatalities, researchers said. The Bay State experienced 28.05 fatalities per 100 total deaths in 2022, which rose to 33.82 in 2023, 'highlighting a growing problem with impaired driving deaths,' researchers said. 'The findings from Massachusetts are a sobering reminder that alcohol-impaired driving continues to claim lives and leave lasting scars,' a spokesperson at H&P Law said in a statement. 'Behind every number is a family left grieving, a survivor facing a lifelong recovery, or a community grappling with loss.' 'When DUI fatalities rise instead of fall, it signals more than just a traffic safety issue — it's a deeper societal challenge,' the spokesman said. 'Massachusetts must prioritize stronger enforcement, harsher penalties for repeat offenders, and broader education to prevent these entirely avoidable tragedies.' The study comes about two weeks after an accused drunk driver was arraigned in connection with a fatal crash in Franklin over Memorial Day weekend that killed a 5-year-old girl and her mother. They were going to Blackstone for a family birthday party with other family members at the time of the crash. Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, died days after the May 24 crash that killed her daughter, Krisha Patel, 5, officials said. The driver accused in the fatal crash, James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail following his arraignment on May 27. A not guilty plea was entered on Blanchard's behalf. Blanchard is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and marked lanes violation, the district attorney said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
06-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Franklin mourns mother, 5-year-old daughter killed in crash by alleged drunk driver
A Vigil was held in Franklin to remember the mother and her little girl killed by a man charged with driving drunk. Minaben Patel, 38, and her 5-year-old daughter Krisha were honored while the heartbroken community is praying for surviving family members. Vigil for mother and daughter With the community lifting him up and praying for him, 14-year-old Kunj Patel limped out of a wheelchair to leave flowers at the place where he survived a horrific crash, but it took the life of his 5-year-old sister and his mom. "The family is in deep pain right now," said Kiran Kumar Patel. "We just crying, 'why God you did this' because it was just a nice innocent family you know this is not the time to take away two family members." Minaben and Krisha Patel Family photo May 24 should have been a joyous ride for the Patel family to buy a birthday cake for the 14-year-old son, but investigators say suspected drunk driver James Blanchard, 21, crossed the center line and hit their car head on along Grove Street. The dad survived; Krisha died at the hospital that night and for 9 days Minaben fought for her life, but she died from her injuries. Even people who didn't know the Patel family wanted to show their love and support after hearing about the terrible crash. "We heard about the accident, and it fractured us, it's terrible. We didn't know them but we're all one family in the world," said community member Nancy Dowd. Memorial for Minaben Patel and her 5-year-old daughter Krisha who were killed in a crash in Franklin, Massachusetts. CBS Boston "When I saw the news, I was pained," said Saed Ahmed. "I have a 5-year-old daughter, and it really touched me, and I cannot imagine how the family is coping with this." A community is now left weighed down by the tragedy and pain of the lives taken too soon. "Why did this have to happen in Franklin, one of the safest communities in Massachusetts," said community member Frank Falvey. Blanchard faces several charges including motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and is being held on a $250,000 bail.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mom dies from her injuries days after her 5-year-old was killed by a ‘drunk driver' that slammed into their car
A mother has died from her injuries days after her 5-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver who slammed into their car, according to local officials. On May 24, a Massachusetts family got into a fatal crash that left a young girl, Krisha Patel, dead and her mother and brother injured. The mother, Minaben Patel, 38, has now died as well. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch said in a joint statement Tuesday, per Boston 25 News, that officials are 'saddened by the loss to Minaben's family and we extend our heartfelt condolences.' The father, who was driving the family car, told authorities that the family was on the way to celebrate his son's 14th birthday when he 'saw a truck driving in his lane,' WCVB reported, citing a police report. 'He tried to avoid being hit by the truck by turning left into the opposite lane of travel, but they ended up colliding anyway,' the police report said. The district attorney said in a previous press release that James Blanchard, the driver of the pickup truck that collided with the Patels' car, was arrested and charged with 'motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol,' among other charges. A not guilty plea has been entered on Blanchard's behalf, per WCVB. Prosecutor Christopher Meade claimed that on the day of the crash, Blanchard said he had two beers at his landscaping job, and when he left, he opened a 1.75-liter bottle of vodka, started drinking out of it and drove home, according to reports. Meade claimed that police found another 1.75-liter bottle of vodka in Blanchard's truck that Blanchard told authorities was 'from the night before,' the local outlet reported. WCVB reported that authorities said Blanchard had a blood alcohol level of .189 - more than double the .08 legal driving limit. The town of Medway — which is a 10-minute drive north of Franklin, where the crash occurred — paid tribute to Minaben Patel in a Facebook post on Tuesday. 'Minaben was a devoted mother, a loving wife, and a dear friend to many,' the town said, adding, 'Together, we remember and celebrate a life marked by love, kindness, and quiet strength.' The Patel family had an obituary published for little Krisha on May 31, which read, in part: "Our hearts are broken as we say goodbye to such a precious little soul. In her short time with us, she filled the world with laughter, wonder, and love. Her smile could brighten the darkest day, and her kind heart touched everyone she met.'
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Massachusetts double tragedy as girl, 5, and her 38-year-old mom die after horrific drunk driver crash
A five-year-old girl and her mother have died after a motorist who had allegedly been drinking straight vodka ploughed into their vehicle in Massachusetts. Minaben Patel, 38, and her daughter, Krisha, succumbed to their injuries after police say drunk driver James Blanchard, 21, struck their Honda Accord with his pickup truck on Memorial Day weekend. They were flung from their car due to the impact, prosecutors said. Patel's son, Kunj, and her husband, Atulkumar, were also in the vehicle but survived. The horror unfolded just after 6.20pm on May 24, which was part of the federal holiday weekend, and Kunj's fourteenth birthday. Prosecutors said Blanchard opened a 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka and began drinking straight out of the bottle shortly before the crash. Investigators also found a second 1.75 liter bottle of Tito's vodka in his vehicle. Blanchard, a landscaper and mechanic, told police he had two beers while at a job in Plainville that morning, and said the vodka bottles were 'from the night before'. He appeared in court on May 27 handcuffed while sporting long hair and a beard. Blanchard watched intently from the defendant's box as lawyers outlined the case. Prosecutor Christopher Meade described the scene of the crash, which unfolded on Grove Street in Franklin, around 30 miles south-west of Boston. He said police officers who were called to the street saw a pickup truck in the middle of the road, and the Patel family's Honda 'off to the side of the road'. Meade said Minaben and Krisha were on the ground suffering horrific injuries after appearing to have been flung from their vehicle. Officers performed CPR. Atulkumar, who had been driving, was trapped inside the car with his son Kung. The Patel family were rushed to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment. Krisha died that night. Blanchard was found 'with a small amount of blood on his nose', Meade said. 'His eyes were bloodshot and glassy,' he added. Officers noted that he 'didn't remember much' and 'had slurred speech', while attempting to direct his face away from officers so they could not smell the alcohol. His blood alcohol level came back .19, Meade said, more than twice the legal limit for driving in Massachusetts. Blanchard said he tried to swerve to avoid the Honda during interviews with police the day after the collision. Horrific images from the scene show the front of his pickup truck was crumpled by the impact, while the Patel family's car was smashed in on one side. Blanchard has been 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. He is also accused of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and a marked lanes violation. 'Krishna's kind spirit, big smile and loving heart will be deeply missed,' a flyer for her memorial service reads.
