Indiana GOP Congresswoman Jackie Walorski killed in car crash

Republican Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski died Wednesday at the age of 58.

Walorski, who represented Indiana’s 2nd Congressional district, was killed in a car crash on Wednesday afternoon in Elkhart County, Indiana.

“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 Digital in a statement. “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 investigation into the crash is being conducted by the Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office.

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Two of the others killed in the crash, Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, worked on Walorski’s staff. 

“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,” Walorski’s office said in a statement. “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.” 

Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California responded to the news on Twitter.

Fellow Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Banks called Walorski a “dear friend and one of the greatest public servants I’ve ever known.”

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“I am devastated and saddened to learn about the tragic passing of my dear friend Jackie Walorski and two of her staffers,” Republican Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana said in a press release. “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.”

 

Drew Hammill, spokesperson for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, tweeted Wednesday that the flags on Capitol Hill will be flown at half-staff in Walorski’s honor.

Walorski, who served on the House Ways and Means Committee, was first elected to represent Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District in 2012. She previously served three terms in the state’s legislature.

Associated Press contributed to this report.