Franklin, Massachusetts— A 5-year-old Indian-American girl tragically lost her life, and her mother and brother sustained serious injuries, following a head-on collision on Grove Street in Franklin on May 25, 2025.
The family was en route to celebrate the son's 14th birthday when their vehicle was struck by a pickup truck driven by 21-year-old James Blanchard, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
Blanchard has been charged with multiple offenses, including motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence.
Key Facts:
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The fatal crash occurred on May 25, 2025, around 6:22 p.m. on Grove Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.
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James Blanchard, 21, was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence, among other charges.
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Blanchard's blood alcohol content was measured at 0.189, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 in Massachusetts.
According to police reports, Blanchard admitted to consuming a significant amount of alcohol prior to the crash.
He stated that after completing work in Plainville, he purchased a 1.75-liter bottle of vodka and a beer, consumed two beers at a landscaping job, and then drank directly from the vodka bottle while driving home.
Investigators found multiple open containers of alcohol in his vehicle.
The Patel family, consisting of parents Atulkumar and Minaben and their two children, had just left a soccer game and were heading to Blackstone for their son's birthday celebration.
Atulkumar Patel, who was driving, attempted to avoid the oncoming truck by swerving, but a collision ensued.
Their 5-year-old daughter was airlifted to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Minaben and their son sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized, while Atulkumar was treated and released.
The incident has deeply affected the local community. A memorial with flowers and teddy bears has been established at the crash site.
Lisa Oxford, a local resident, expressed her sorrow:
"We know how full of promise children are and how much potential in future, and to see life cut short is heartbreaking, whether we know them or not."
Blanchard appeared in Wrentham District Court, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. He is currently being held on $250,000 bail.
His attorney, Timothy Flaherty, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, "It's an unspeakable tragedy, it's every parent's nightmare, and his thoughts and my thoughts are with the Patel family."
Do You Know?
In Massachusetts, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers is 0.08%. A BAC of 0.189, as recorded in this incident, is over twice the legal limit, significantly impairing a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Key Terms:
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Motor Vehicle Homicide: A criminal charge applied when a person causes the death of another through negligent or reckless operation of a vehicle.
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Operating Under the Influence (OUI): The act of driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other substances, commonly referred to as DUI in other states.
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Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): A measurement of the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream, used to determine legal impairment levels.