FRANKLIN, Mass. (WPRI) — A Franklin man is facing new charges in connection with a crash that killed a 5-year-old girl and her mother earlier this year, according to Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.
James Blanchard, 21, pleaded not guilty in Norfolk Superior Court to two counts of manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury.
Blanchard was taken into custody after he crashed his pickup truck head-on into the Patel family’s car on Grove Street back in May. Krisha Patel, 5, was pronounced dead at the scene. Minaben Patel was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where she later died.
SEE ALSO: Dozens gather to remember Franklin mom, girl killed in crash
Atul Patel, Minaben’s husband and Krisha’s father, was driving at the time of the crash. He was treated and released from the hospital that same day. Kunj Patel, Minaben and Atul’s 14-year-old son, survived the crash but suffered critical injuries.
Morrissey said Blanchard had open containers of alcohol in his pickup truck at the time of the crash, as well as a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit.
Blanchard was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail pending his next court date, which is slated for Dec. 22.
He’s also facing several charges out of Wareham District Court, including two counts of motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently under the influence of alcohol.
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