Newly Ordained Maryland Female Bishop Fatally Hits Bicyclist

SMH. She better pray she doesn’t get serious time for this.

According to NY Daily News reports:

The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland said a newly ordained bishop, Heather Elizabeth Cook, was the driver allegedly responsible for a hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist Sunday afternoon in Baltimore.

The Right Reverend Eugene Taylor Sutton identified Cook, who was ordained in September, in an email, the Baltimore Brew reports.

“I am distressed to announce that Bishop Heather E. Cook was involved in a traffic accident Saturday afternoon that resulted in the death of bicyclist Thomas Palermo, 41,” Sutton wrote.

Palermo was still alive when police arrived at the scene. He was taken to Sinai Hospital where he died of his injuries, according to cops.

Cook, 58, fled the scene initially. She returned 20 minutes later after she was chased by other cyclists, according to news reports.

“Several news agencies have reported this as a ‘hit-and-run.’ Bishop Cook did leave the scene initially, but returned after 20 minutes to take responsibility for her actions,” Sutton wrote.

Cook has been placed on administrative leave. The accident could result in criminal charges.

Cook was charged with a DUI and with possession of marijuana in 2010, according to the Caroline County Sheriff’s Department, reports the Baltimore Sun.

A piff puffin preacher???? Ya’ll think she was hitting that communion wine?

On a serious note though, our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of that bicyclist. The article said he was a father and a bicycle builder.

WBALTV/CourtesyOfTheBaltimoreBrew