The mother of the 5-year-old girl struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver in Franklin over Memorial Day weekend has also died from injuries suffered in the head-on crash, according to authorities.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey and Franklin Police Chief Thomas J. Lynch announced on Tuesday that Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, had died from the serious injuries she suffered in the crash.

Emergency Responders rushed Patel and her son, Kung, who had just turned 14 that day, May 24, from the scene to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment. Her 5-year-old daughter, Krisha, died that night.

“The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office and the Franklin Police Department are saddened by the loss to Minaben’s family, and we extend our heartfelt condolences,” Morrissey and Lynch said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

They did not provide an update on the condition of Patel’s son, while an autopsy was slated to be performed to determine the cause of her death.

Patel’s husband, Atulkumar Patel, was also rushed to UMass Memorial but was subsequently released from the medical center.

The father told a responding officer at the scene that the family had been en route to Blackstone for his son’s birthday celebration when suspect James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, plowed into them in a pickup truck.

Blanchard allegedly told police that he drank two beers while at a landscaping job that afternoon before he opened a 1.75-liter bottle of Tito’s Vodka and “began drinking straight out of it,” on his way home from Plainville, according to an incident report.

Blanchard is being held on $250,000 cash bail after his arraignment at Wrentham District Court last Tuesday. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

He currently faces charges of motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of operating under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and a marked lanes violation.

The results of a breath test taken at the scene showed the man’s blood alcohol content at 0.189, more than double the legal limit of 0.08, according to the incident report.

A vigil is scheduled to be held in the area of the crash, 75 Grove St., in Franklin, on Thursday at 6 p.m., in remembrance of Minaben.

“Minaben’s family is again deeply thankful for all the love and support shared over the last week,” the vigil’s organizer, The SAFE Coalition, posted on Facebook Tuesday afternoon. “They invite the community to honor this amazing Mother, Wife, Family Member and friend.”

The gathering will come just five days after services were held in memory of her daughter.

Krisha’s obituary states: “Our hearts are broken as we say goodbye to such a precious little soul. In her short time with us, she filled the world with laughter, wonder, and love. Her smile could brighten the darkest day, and her kind heart touched everyone she met. Though her time here was far too brief, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of all who loved her. We will carry her memory with us always – like a beautiful, shining star in the sky. May she rest peacefully, wrapped in love and light.”

Originally Published: June 3, 2025 at 6:39 PM EDT