Metropolitan Ministries relieves manager of duties after learning of fatal crash

TEMPLE TERRACE — Metropolitan Ministries has relieved its logistics director of her duties after learning she’s under investigation in connection with a fatal vehicle crash last month.

Adriane Blanchett, 57, appeared drunk and initially refused a blood test after a crash that killed 31-year-old Ana Elsa Rosa-Day, Temple Terrace police say. No charges have been filed while prosecutors await the results of a blood test, which could take months, the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office said.

Metropolitan Ministries, the largest charity in Tampa Bay, was first made aware of the crash by a Times reporter on Wednesday, said Justine Burke, the charity’s vice president of marketing and communications. Blanchett was immediately relieved of her duties. She works in the Metropolitan Ministries warehouse.

“We’re all just heartbroken,” Burke said.

Blanchett, 57, was driving on E Fowler Avenue around 11 p.m. Nov. 18 when she failed to yield while making a turn onto Raintree Boulevard, police said in a warrant to compel a blood sample. Blanchett entered the path of a vehicle driven by Rosa-Day and they collided. Rosa-Day was killed in the crash.

Blanchett, an officer wrote in the warrant, had “bloodshot, watery, glassy eyes, slurred speech” and a strong smell of alcohol on her breath. She showed signs of impairment during a walk and turn sobriety exercise, the warrant says.

Blood was drawn from Blanchett once the warrant was granted and has been sent for testing, said Temple Terrace police Capt. Robert Staley. Any potential criminal charges await the results of the test, being conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said State Attorney’s spokesperson Grayson Kamm.

The large volume of blood samples sent to the agency means a turnaround time can be months, Kamm said.

Metropolitan Ministries will conduct an internal investigation into Blanchett’s actions, Burke said. Her job status could change based on the results.

A memorial service is scheduled Friday for Rosa-Day in her native Rhode Island, according to an obituary. She was a Polk County resident and a certified nursing assistant.

“Ana had a smile that lit up the room, a fierce loyalty to her family and friends and a laugh you will never forget,” the obituary said.

Rosa-Day had a love for buying and collecting sneakers, the obituary said. She leaves behind a daughter, Ali’Ana Souza, and three sisters: Ariana Day, of Kissimmee, and Diamond Barry and Zuleika Sierra of Rhode Island.

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The nonprofit Metropolitan Ministries helps low-income and homeless people throughout Tampa Bay. It has an annual budget of over $30 million and has board members that include Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister and Jerome Ryans, president of the Tampa Housing Authority.

Blanchett’s Facebook profile said she has worked at Metropolitan Ministries since 2005, is a Tampa native and graduated from Hillsborough High School.

Blanchett did not return calls seeking comment.