Alleged DUI driver kills Filipino community leader in Virginia Beach

Rosa Blanco, who hailed from Angono, Rizal, and came to the U.S. in the 1970s, was a leader in several organizations in Virginia Beach, Virginia. SCREENGRAB 13NewsNow

A suspected drunk driver struck and killed Filipino community leader Rosa Blanco, 76, and injured another woman, 79, as both were crossing a pedestrian lane in Virginia Beach, Virginia town center Monday afternoon, Aug. 22.

Blanco, who hailed from Angono, Rizal and came to the U.S. in the 1970s, was a leader in several organizations and taught mathematics in Virginia Beach and Norfolk schools, according to the 13NewsNow report on the tragic incident.

Blanco was past president of the Filipino Women’s Club of Tidewaterand treasurer of the Council of United Filipino Organizations of Tidewater. Her peers told the news program that Blanco also helped rebuild Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia, an institution of the Filipino community in Hampton Roads.

The suspect, Nathan Poole, 24, is detained for driving under the influence, and more charges are pending, according to Virginia Beach police. The other victim’s name was not released.