Bishop Drunk, Texting at Time of Fatal Bike Crash: State's Attorney

The state’s attorney for Baltimore City told reporters that Bishop Heather Elizabeth Cook faces several charges, including DUI and manslaughter, in connection with last month’s fatal crash involving a cyclist in Roland Park.

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby said that Cook will be charged with manslaughter, DUI and leaving the scene of a crash, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Mosby alleged that Cook registered a 0.22 blood alcohol level on a breathalyzer after the Dec. 27 crash, according to WNEW. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 in Maryland.

It will not be the first DUI for Cook.

In 2010, she was charged with multiple offenses including possession of marijuana and DUI, receiving probation before judgment and a $300 fine. Police in Caroline County brought those charges after an officer pulled Cook over on a traffic stop; there was no crash or injury involved.

At a press conference Friday morning, Mosby said that Cook was texting last month when she hit cyclist Thomas Palermo, 41, who was in a bike lane on Roland Avenue, WJZ reported.

Palermo was taken to Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Cook allegedly left the scene and returned within an hour.

In the days after the fatal crash, the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland identified the driver as Cook, who in 2014 became Maryland’s first female Episcopal bishop, and said she had been placed on administrative leave as criminal charges may be filed.

Authorities said Friday morning that, in fact, a warrant has been issued for Cook’s arrest, The Baltimore Sun reported.

In the aftermath of the crash, cyclists have held memorial rides in honor of Palermo, who built custom bicycles.

National church leaders have filed a complaint alleging that Cook may have violated church law, according to NBC Washington.

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Photo Credit: Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

Related:

• More Than 700 Take Memorial Ride to Honor Anneslie Cyclist
• Funeral Service Planned for Cyclist Thomas Palermo, 41
• Maryland Bishop Investigated in Fatal Bike Crash
• Bicyclists Plan Memorial Ride for Thomas Palermo
• Maryland Bishop Accused Of Killing Bicyclist Has Drunk Driving History
• Diocese Knew of Bishop’s DUI, ‘Practiced Forgiveness’