Bishop Heather Cook, Maryland’s first female Episcopal bishop and second highest ranking official in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, has been identified as the driver in a fatal hit and run of a bicyclist in Baltimore this weekend.

According to reports, Bishop Cook initially fled the scene after striking Tom Palermo on December 27 with her Subaru SUV. However, after being chased down by other bicyclists, Cook returned to the scene of the accident 20 minutes later.

In an email to the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, the Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton identified the driver of the car involved in the fatal bicycle crash as Bishop Heather Elizabeth Cook. In the email Bishop Sutton wrote:

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 bicyclist Thomas Palermo, 41.

Bishop Sutton also confirmed reports that Bishop Cook did leave the scene of the accident, as police and witnesses have reported.

Cook, who was ordained in September as Bishop Suffragan, the second highest rank in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, did not sustain any injuries in the accident, although pictures of her vehicle depict the aftermath of a horrific and unmistakable collision.

Raw Story reports that in 2010, Bishop Cook was arrested after she was found driving with a blood-alcohol level of .27, three times the legal limit. At the time of her arrest, police found bottles of whiskey and wine, as well as a marijuana pipe. The drug charges against her were eventually dropped in 2012, and she received a “probation without judgement” on the driving under the influence charge.

The victim, 41-year-old Thomas Palermo, was still alive when police arrived at the scene. He was then transferred to Sinai Hospital where he died of his injuries. He was known as a bicycle builder, a father and a friend to many.

A local cycling group known as “Bikemore” issued a statement urging police “to hold the driver who killed Tom accountable for her actions.” The following is an excerpt from that statement:

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Tom Palermo, who was killed while riding his bicycle on Roland Avenue. 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…

Currently the crime is under investigation, and police have not yet filed any charges against Bishop Cook.