ELKHART COUNTY, IN – A car crash Wednesday afternoon claimed the life of a Republican Congresswoman out of Indiana along with two of her staffers, according to reports.
Representative Jackie Walorski, who represented Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District, was involved in a two-vehicle collision on SR 19 just south of SR 119 at around 12:30 pm on August 3.
According to an Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office statement to Fox News, “A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head-on with a southbound sports utility vehicle. All three occupants in the southbound vehicle died as a result of their injuries.”
The other two occupants in Walorski’s vehicle were 27-year-old Zachery Potts and 28-year-old Emma Thomson, both of whom were Walorski’s staff members.
The vehicle that traveled outside of its lane was driven by 56-year-old Edith Schmucker. She was the only occupant of the vehicle, and she was also pronounced deceased at the scene.
Walorski’s office released a statement following the notification of the Congresswoman’s husband. It read, “Dean Swihart, Jackie’s husband, was just informed by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s office that Jackie was killed in a car accident this afternoon. She has returned home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.
“In addition to the devastating loss of Congresswoman Walorski, it is with a broken heart that I announce the passing of two dedicated members of her staff, Zach Potts and Emma Thomson. They were the epitome of public servants who cared deeply about the work they performed on behalf of the constituents of Indiana’s Second Congressional District.”
The cause of the driver traveling out of her lane is not known at this time, but the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.
Walorski was the ranking GOP member on two committees- the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Ethics Committee. She served three terms in Indiana’s State Legislature before being elected to Congress in 2012.
Louisiana Republican Rep. Steve Scalise issued a press release of grief at Walorski’s passing. He said, “I am devastated and saddened to learn about the tragic passing of my dear friend Jackie Walorski and two of her staffers. Jackie was an instrumental member of our conference, serving as a member of my deputy whip team for several years. She was a champion for the people of Indiana, and she will be remembered for her kindness, tenacity, and commitment to helping others.”
Flags have been ordered to fly at half staff at the nation’s Capitol in honor of Walorski.
Democratic Congressman Danny Davis served with Walorski on the Ways and Means Committee. He expressed sadness over her passing, saying, “I was almost in a state of shock. I couldn’t believe it. We might disagree from time to time, but I don’t think we ever had an argument. She was a wonderful person to work with.”
This piece was written by Leah Anaya on August 4, 2022. It originally appeared in RedVoiceMedia.com and is used by permission.
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