Indiana Congresswoman Jackie Walorski Dies In Car Crash
Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., died Wednesday in a multi-car accident in her north-central Indiana district, her office said in a statement. She was 58.
The Elkhart County Sheriff said a car traveled left of the center lane and collided head-on with an SUV that Walorski was riding in, killing her and two aides: Zachery Potts, 27, her district director, and Emma Thomson, 28, her communications director. A 55-year-old woman driving the other car also died in the crash.
“Dean Swihart, Jackie’s husband, was just informed by the Elkhart County Sherrif’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. We will have no further comment at this time,” Walorski’s office said in a statement.
The South Bend native was first elected to Congress in 2012. Her district includes South Bend and Elkhart. Walorski served on the House Ways and Means Committee.
NBC News reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags at the Capitol to be flown at half-staff.
Several politicians took to social media to honor Walorski.
“My prayers are with the family and staff of my colleague, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and the others who were tragically killed in a traffic collision today. Please keep them in your thoughts," Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., posted on Twitter.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who previously served as the Mayor of South Bend, also took to Twitter to express condolences.
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