Bishop Behind Fatal Bike Crash

An Episcopal bishop who was behind the wheel in a hit-and-run collision that killed a Baltimore man had previously been charged with a DUI and possession of marijuana, court documents revealed Monday. Bishop Suffragan Heather Elizabeth Cook, the No. 2 leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, pleaded guilty four years ago to driving under the influence of alcohol in Caroline County. Possession of marijuana charges for the same incident were later dropped. On Saturday, Cook was driving a car that hit 41-year-old Thomas Palermo, who was biking home and died from head injuries. Cook initially left the scene of the accident but returned to talk to police. Authorities have not charged Cook in Saturday’s accident and police said the investigation was in its early stages.