Maryland's first female Episcopal bishop exposed as hitand-run driver 'who killed young father' two days after Christmas Police say a female 58-year-old motorist smashed into custom bicycle maker Tom Palermo, 41, on Saturday afternoon in Baltimore Bishop Heather E. Cook, who was elected to the no. 2 spot in the diocese in September, was named as the driver by the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland Maryland records show Cook was arrested in 2010 after reportedly blowing 3X the legal driving limit when police found a bottle of whiskey in her car Cook received 'probation before judgment' for a DUI charge but no charges were filed despite police having found a marijuana pipe in the car Witnesses observed and an official response from the diocese later admitted that Bishop Cook fled the scene before returning 20 minutes later Palermo, whose Facebook page proudly displays his custom bikes, was rushed to a nearby hospital before succumbing to his injuries By Josh Gardner for MailOnline Published: 01:38 EST, 29 December 2014 Updated: 19:28 EST, 29 December 2014 Maryland's newly ordained first female Episcopal bishop fatally crashed into and killed a bicyclist before fleeing just two days after the Christmas holiday. Police on Saturday said a 58-year-old female motorist drove away from a scene of mangled metal beside a fatally injured man taking his final breaths--41-year-old father and custom bike maker Tom Palermo. Page 1 of 12
A letter from the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland revealed Sunday that it was their No. 2 leader, Bishop Heather Cook, who disappeared from the fatal crash before finally returning to take responsibility. Meanwhile, photos from the scene can attest there was no way Cook could have kept hidden for long the evidence her Subaru had been in a serious collision. Witness Jason La Canfora, a CBS reporter who covers the NFL, described to the Baltimore Sun the collision and resulting damages as 'a massive impact.' Half the vehicle's windshield and hood bear deep, fractured indentions from Palermo's body. Tragic: Maryland's first female bishop, 58- year-old Heather Cook (center) who was elected just this past September, was involved in a fatal crash in which a cyclist was fatally injured 'Bishop Cook did leave the scene initially, but returned after about 20 minutes to take responsibility for her actions,' Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton wrote Sunday in a letter addressed to the Clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland that was obtained by the Baltimore Brew. Scroll down for video Page 2 of 12
Too young: The victim was Tom Palermo, 41 - a Baltimore bicycle enthusiast who custom-made bike frames as part of his one-man business Page 3 of 12
Hit and run? Initial reports indicated that Cook, whose badly damaged car is seen here, hit Palermo and fled the scene. It was later revealed she had indeed left the scene but later returned (her car is pictured here after she went back to speak to police who were still at the scene) Pictured on the sidewalk behind police tape was what remained of Palermo's ride of choice--no doubt one of the custom Palermo Bicycles he fabricated for a living in his one-man shop. Reaction to the incident from Baltimore's thriving cyclist community was fast and furious. 'He was alive after it happened,' Lora Peters told the Brew at the scene of the crash on the 5700 block of the city's Roland Avenue. 'She might have been able to help or call for help if she'd stayed on the scene.' Page 4 of 12
Twisted metal: Palermo's wrecked bike is pictured here. He was left dying in the street for a time before a fellow cyclist happened by and called 911 Page 5 of 12
'Tom was a passionate bicycle builder, a father, and a friend to many people who ride bicycles in Baltimore'While details of the crash are still emerging, we know the driver of the car involved initially fled the scene, leaving Tom to die on the street.' WHISKEY, WINE, A MARJUANA PIPE AND A FLAT TIRE: BISHOP HEATHER COOK'S PREVIOUS RUN-IN WITH THE LAW Page 6 of 12
No details have been released that confirm or deny Cook's sobriety at the time of Saturday's crash and it remained unclear Sunday night whether Cook would face charges of any kind, but state records and a local report from a 2010 arrest indicate the newly ordained bishop has faced drug, alcohol and reckless driving charges once before. In September 2010, nearly four years to the day before she'd become Maryland's first female Episcopal bishop, Cook was pulled over in Caroline County. Police at the time said she blew a BAC of.27, or over three times the legal limit, when given a breathalyzer. Cook was pulled over by police in 2010 and booked on drunk driving charges after police found a nearly empty bottle of whiskey in her car, on which the tire had nearly fallen off the rim In her car, police said they found a bottle of whiskey, a bottle of wine, and a marijuana pipe reported MyEasternShoreMD.com. Officers also said one of Cook's tires had somehow become shredded. However, records show that by January 2012 the drug charges were dropped. Cook received 'probation without judgement' for the DUI charge. According to the law offices of Eldridge and Nachtman, in the state of Maryland this means: You can truthfully answer you have not been convicted of a crime on job applications, your car insurance does not go through the roof (if it s a DUI), and (for certain crimes) you can get the matter expunged after successfully completing probation. Page 7 of 12
The local cycling advocacy group Bikemore released a statement on their friend Palermo's death, which read in part: 'Tom was a passionate bicycle builder, a father, and a friend to many people who ride bicycles in Baltimore. 'While details of the crash are still emerging, we know the driver of the car involved initially fled the scene, leaving Tom to die on the street.' Katie Gore, while placing flowers at a memorial that popped up near the scene, told the Brew after seeing photos of Cook's damaged windshield, 'There s no way you could not know you d hit somebody.' 'Hit and run pastor' delivers eerily prescient sermon Page 8 of 12
A community mourns: A mourner places flowers at a makeshift memorial created for Palermo. Baltimore's active cycling community reacted quickly and vocally to the tragedy Page 9 of 12
A community bike shop left a touching tribute to Tom at the site of his untimely death However, Cook isn't claiming she didn't know. Nor had she said anything else about the matter as of Sunday night. Instead, the diocese was doing the speaking for her and says they have suspended Bishop Cook because she still may face criminal charges. 'There is an ongoing police investigation into the accident,' wrote Right Reverend Sutton. 'I will meet shortly with the Standing Committee to discuss ways we can move forward.' Sutton went on to say that he'd be postponing an upcoming sabbatical 'to be pastorally present in this difficult time.' Page 10 of 12
RIGHT REV. EUGENE TAYLOR SUTTON'S FULL LETTER CONCERNING BISHOP HEATHER E. COOK From the Bishop s Office Dec. 28, 2014 Pastoral To the Clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland Dear Colleagues, I am distressed to announce that Bishop Heather E. Cook was involved in a traffic accident Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27, that resulted in the death of a bicyclist, Thomas Palermo, 41. Bishop Cook did not sustain any Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton injuries. Together with the Diocese of Maryland, I express my deep sorrow over the death of the cyclist and offer my condolences to the victim s family. Please pray for Mr. Palermo, his family and Bishop Cook during this most difficult time. Please do not contact Bishop Cook directly, but feel free to send written notes to the Diocesan Center. There is an ongoing police investigation into the accident. Several news organizations have reported this as a hit and run. Bishop Cook did leave the scene initially, but returned after about 20 minutes to take responsibility for her actions. Because the nature of the accident could result in criminal charges, I have placed Bishop Cook on administrative leave, effective immediately. I will meet shortly with the Standing Committee to discuss ways we can move forward. Also, I have decided to delay the beginning of my sabbatical to Jan. 24 to be pastorally present in this difficult time. Page 11 of 12
+ Eugene The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton Bishop of Maryland Source: Baltimore Brew Share or comment on this article Page 12 of 12