Franklin, MA — A Franklin mother and her 5-year-old daughter have died following a tragic head-on crash on Grove Street in May. Authorities confirmed that Minaben Patel, 38, succumbed to her injuries on Monday, weeks after the crash claimed the life of her young daughter, Krisha.
The collision occurred when 21-year-old James Blanchard allegedly crossed the center line and struck the Patel family’s car head-on. Minaben was in the vehicle with her husband and two children at the time. Officials said Krisha, 5, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Minaben, her teenage son, and her husband were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Blanchard was arrested at the scene and now faces several charges, including motor vehicle homicide, driving under the influence, and operating with an open container of alcohol.
As of now, no update has been provided on the condition of the surviving teenage son.
The crash has deeply impacted the Medway community, where the Patel family owns Keystone Liquors. Neighboring business owners expressed their heartbreak.
“It melts you, it angers you,” said Sully Jereidini, who owns Treasure Box antique store next door. “To bury a child—no parent should ever have to experience that. And now this family is forever changed.”
Jereidini said he had no idea the victims were his neighbors. “They’re never going to be the same. Never.”
The crash remains under investigation by local authorities.
