New reports are revealing that U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski has passed away after being involved in a car accident in Elkhart County on August 3, The Southbend Tribune reports.
According to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, Walorski was riding in a southbound vehicle on State Road 19 around 12:30 p.m. when a northbound car crossed the center line and collided with Walorski head-on.
Congresswoman for Indiana’s 2nd District Killed in Car Crash
Inside the vehicle with Walorski were 27-year-old Zach Potts and 28-year-old Emma Thomson. Both Potts and Thomson also died in the crash.
The driver of the northbound vehicle was identified as 56-year-old Edith Schmucker. She was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomson was a member of Walorski’s staff, while Potts was a chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Party. Walorski has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, after being elected in 2012.
An investigation into why Schmucker crossed the center line is still ongoing.
“On August 3, 2022, at approximately 12:32 PM the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash on SR 19 south of SR 119,” the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office told 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: Jackie Walorski, 58, Elkhart, Indiana Zachery Potts, 27, Mishawaka, Indiana Emma Thomson, 28, Washington, DC The sole occupant of the northbound vehicle, Edith Schmucker, 56, Nappanee, Indiana was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the statement continued.
In another statement by fellow Republican Rep. Steve Scalise, he said, “I am devastated and saddened to learn about the tragic passing of my dear friend Jackie Walorksi 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,” he concluded.