Franklin man facing additional charge in crash that killed mother and daughter with Fall River ties

James N. Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, has been charged with an additional count of motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently under the influence of alcohol related to the fatal collision on Grove Street in Franklin last month, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said.

Blanchard is expected to be arraigned on the new charge Tuesday in Wrentham District Court.

Blanchard is the driver of a pickup truck that collided on May 24th with a car, resulting in the death of 5-year-old passenger Krisha Patel and serious injuries to other occupants.

The new charge is related to the death of Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, a passenger in the car who succumbed to her injuries later at an area hospital.

The brother was also hospitalized. The father, who was driving the car, was released from the hospital after treatment.

The Patel’s have family members in Fall River.

Vigils were held for both Krisha and Minaben.

Blanchard was arraigned previously on May 27th on motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently under the influence of alcohol and other charges related to the crash. He was ordered held in jail on $250,000 cash bail.