MARYLAND
The Baltimore Sun
By Luke Broadwater
The Baltimore Sun
The Episcopal bishop who struck and killed a bicyclist with her car before leaving the scene told a colleague shortly afterward that she was “in shock,” the church said Tuesday.
Bishop Suffragan Heather Elizabeth Cook, 58, the Maryland church’s second-ranking official, called another church official, the Rev. Scott Slater, about 20 minutes after the Dec. 27 crash that killed Thomas Palermo, 41, who was riding his bike in northern Baltimore.
“She said she thought she had hit a bicyclist and was in shock,” according to statement released by The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.
The national Episcopal Church is investigating the matter — a quasi-judicial process that could lead to the church stripping Cook of all authority. Baltimore police are still investigating the death and have released only scant details. Cook has not been charged. The church has placed her on paid administrative leave.
“Currently, we are following the disciplinary processes of the church, and we are providing pastoral care,” said Neva Rae Fox, a national spokeswoman for the Episcopal Church. “We hold Bishop Cook, the Diocese of Maryland and the Palermo family in our prayers.”
Fox said the details of the church investigation would “remain confidential.”
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