The case outraged cyclists and shook the church. Prosecutors said Cook had almost three times the legal level of alcohol in her blood and was texting while driving at the time of the crash Dec. 27.

Prosecutors wanted a sentence of 10 years followed by probation, but the judge handling the case had said he might hand down less time.

Cook's attorney had argued for a shorter sentence. Attorney David Irwin said Cook had in many ways lived a model life, and had been receiving treatment for alcoholism.

State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said her "heart goes out to the Palermo family."

"I appreciate the cyclist community of Baltimore for supporting the Palermos in their time of need," Mosby said. "This senseless tragedy is a clear example of why law enforcement takes drunk driving and texting while driving so seriously."

Cook was elected bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Maryland -- the No. 2 position in the church -- in 2014.

But unknown to many of those who elected her, Cook had been arrested for suspected drunk driving in 2010. She received probation in that influence case.

She was suspended after the December crash and resigned in May.

At the plea hearing last month, prosecutors said they concluded a drunk Cook drove out of a traffic lane in Roland Avenue and into a bike lane, hitting Palermo and knocking him to the side of the road.

Cook left the scene and went home before returning to the site of the crash, prosecutors said.

Cook was initially charged with more than a dozen violations, including manslaughter, driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.

She pleaded not guilty to all charges in April before entering the guilty plea last month.

END