Diocese: Maryland bishop was driver in hit-and-run that killed bicyclist; no word on charges

Flowers and messages are shown Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at the scene of a fatal collision between a car and bicyclist along a Baltimore residential street with a bike lane. The Episcopal Church of Maryland says one of its bishops was driving the car Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, when it struck cyclist Tom Palermo, fatally injuring him. The Baltimore Police Department is investigating. (AP Photo/Amanda Kell) (The Associated Press)

Flowers and messages are shown Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at a small makeshift memorial at the scene of a fatal collision between a car and bicyclist along a Baltimore residential street with a bike lane. The Episcopal Church of Maryland says one of its bishops was driving the car Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, when it struck cyclist Tom Palermo, fatally injuring him. The Baltimore Police Department is investigating. (AP Photo/Amanda Kell) (The Associated Press)

BALTIMORE – The Episcopal Church of Maryland says its first female bishop was the driver in a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist in Baltimore.

Diocese spokeswoman Sharon Tillman confirmed Monday that Bishop Suffragan Heather Cook was the driver in the Saturday afternoon crash in which 41-year-old Tom Palermo was killed.

On Monday, a small makeshift memorial sat by the roadside where Palermo was killed. The road included a designated bike lane.

Neither Cook nor her attorney, David Irwin, responded to emails and calls for comment Monday.

In an email Sunday, diocese Bishop Eugene Sutton told clergy members that Cook initially left the scene but returned about 20 minutes later "to take responsibility for her actions."

He says Cook is on administrative leave from the diocese's No. 2 spot.

It's unclear whether she'll face charges.