Sandy MaloneNappanee, IN – U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Indiana) was killed in a car accident in her home state on Wednesday.
Police said the crash occurred at about 12:32 p.m. on Aug. 3 when two vehicles crashed near the intersection of State Routes 19 and 119, WBND reported.
Three people were killed in the SUV that the 58-year-old Walorski was riding in.
The other victims have been identified as 27-year-old Zachery Potts and 28-year-old Emma Thompson, both of whom were aides to the congresswoman, WBND reported.
The driver of the other vehicle has been identified as 56-year-old Edith Schmucker.
Schmucker was pronounced dead at the scene, according to WBND.
Walorski, a Republican, has represented Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District since 2012.
#BREAKING: U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-Indiana) has been killed in a crash that happened at 12:32 P.M. in Elkhart County on S.R. 19 south of S.R. 119. pic.twitter.com/SbvhWlHgxL
— Erica Finke WSBT (@EricaFinkeTV) August 3, 2022
She was running for re-election for her sixth term in November, NBC News reported.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) confirmed Walorski’s death in a tweet and said her husband, Dean Swihart, had been notified of his wife’s death by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office.
It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing this statement from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. pic.twitter.com/UEPoKBDf5N
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) August 3, 2022
Walorski was close with McCarthy, who had made her the highest-ranking Republican on the House Ethics Committee, NBC News reported.
The Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office were investigating the fatal wreck, according to The Hill.
My full statement on the passing of Jackie Walorski, my dear friend and one of the greatest public servants I’ve ever known: pic.twitter.com/nntvYAqttb
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) August 3, 2022
BREAKING NEWS: Congresswoman Jackie Walorski among several killed in a car crash. pic.twitter.com/FwOZp64Fqw
— Newsmax (@newsmax) August 3, 2022
I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of this terrible crash.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) August 3, 2022
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Holly Matkin
