Saturday Night Franklin Crash Fatal for 5-year-old

Above, a screen grab of the pickup truck from WHDH Channel 7.

A serious crash around 6:30 pm Saturday near 76 Grove Street in Franklin has now claimed the life of a 5-year-old girl, according to news reports and official statements. The 21-year-old driver, identified by the Norfolk District Attorney's office as Franklin resident James N. Blanchard. was the only occupant of the pickup truck which  was in a collision with a sedan carrying the child as well as the girl's brother and mother, who were passengers and her father, who was the driver. All were taken to the hospital and the father was subsequently released with minor injuries.

The road was blocked for some time to provide access for police, firefighters and ambulances. Investigators were on scene for several hours.

Blanchard is being held on half a million dollars bail and is due in Wrentham District Court on Tuesday. He faces charges including 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.