Child killed in Franklin crash; driver charged with motor vehicle homicide, OUI

A 21-year-old man is facing multiple drunk driving charges following a crash over the weekend in Franklin that killed a child and left two other people seriously injured. 

James Blanchard of Franklin is charged with 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 Norfolk County District Attorney’s office said. 

Franklin police said officers responded Saturday around 6:22 p.m. to the two-vehicle crash in the area of 76 Grove St., where they found three people suffering from serious injuries. 

One of the victims, described by the DA’s office as “a child,” was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Her brother and mother, both passengers in the same car, remain hospitalized with serious injuries, the DA’s office said. 

The girl’s father, who was driving, was released from the hospital after treatment. 

Blanchard, who was driving a pickup truck, was arrested following the crash, the DA’s office said. He is being held on $500,000 cash bail and will be arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Tuesday.