As two members of the family continue to be hospitalized, loved ones are remembering a young girl who passed away because of injuries sustained in a collision that occurred over the weekend in Franklin, Massachusetts.
On Wednesday, dozens of people attended a memorial service for Krisha Patel, who was only five years old. At the intersection of Grove and Beaver streets on Saturday evening, a car belonging to her family was struck by a driver who is suspected of being heavily intoxicated.
However, despite being transported by helicopter to the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Krisha did not make it through her injuries.
Both her mother and her brother were listed in critical condition after the accident. According to statements made by members of Krisha’s family during the vigil, they do not believe that Krisha’s mother will survive. It is probable that the boy will emerge victorious.
The accident occurred as the family was on their way to a birthday party for Krisha’s brother, who was celebrating his birthday.
In Wrentham District Court on Tuesday, the driver, identified as James N. Blanchard, 21, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and careless operation.
According to the prosecutors, when Franklin police arrived at the site, they saw Blanchard’s truck parked in the middle of the street and the automobile belonging to the Patel family parked off to the side. Both Krisha and her mother, who was unconscious, were discovered outside of the vehicle and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The brother, who was a passenger in the front seat and was initially trapped within the car, was also sent to the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center for treatment of critical injuries. Her mother was also taken there.
In spite of the fact that he sustained injuries while driving, Atul Patel, Krisha’s father, was able to leave the hospital after receiving treatment.
In the courtroom, the prosecution stated that the Patel family was on their way to Blackstone in order to celebrate the birthday of the boy. The father stated to the investigators that he observed the approaching pickup truck in his lane, and as a result, he attempted to swerve to avoid it by turning left into the other lane of travel; nonetheless, the vehicles still collided.
It is anticipated that the investigators will gain access to CCTV footage from at least two establishments located in the vicinity of the collision.
Blanchard was granted bond in the amount of $250,000 cash, with the stipulation that he must abstain from driving and drinking alcohol.
If the matter continues to be heard in district court, the judge stated that he would reconsider the bail decision and that the prosecution would most likely move the charges to the superior court level.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
