hit and run, Maryland Episcopal bishop, fatal accident

A fatal accident has led to hit and run charges against Maryland Episcopal bishop Heather Cook, the first woman to be ordained as a bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. Cook is being accused of texting while driving and drunk driving and she is being charged with vehicular manslaughter. Investigators determined that Cook veered into a bike lane while she was driving through a suburb of Baltimore, Maryland, and she hit 41 year old cyclist Tom Palermo. According to Marilyn Mosby, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney “The State’s Attorney’s Office is committed to applying justice fairly and equally – no one is above the law.” Bishop Heather Cook faces charges of negligent manslaughter by vehicle, failing to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in death, and negligently driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in a homicide.

The fatal accident resulting from the hit and run involving the first female Maryland Episcopal bishop is still under investigation. Law enforcement believe that Cook struck Palermo, putting him through the windhield of her SUV, and then Cook left the scene of the accident. After Heather went home to her apartment she did return to the scene of the accident, and that was when police officers administered a breathalyzer. The breathalyzer test showed that Cook’s blood alcohol level was .22%, almost three times the legal limit of .08%. Bishop Eugene Sutton, the head bishop for the Diocese, responded with the statement “On behalf of everyone in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, please know that we are deeply heartbroken over this, and we cry for the Palermo family, our sister Heather and all in the community who are hurting.”