Rep. Walorski, Staffer, St. Joe County GOP Chair Perish in Fatal Accident

Hoosiers are mourning the passing of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, who was killed Wednesday in an automobile accident along with three others.

According to our newsgathering partners at WTHR, Walorski and two members of her congressional staff and another person were killed in a crash on State Road 19 in Elkhart County shortly after noon.

According to police, a car driven by 56-year-old Edith Schmucker of Nappanee crossed the center line and struck the SUV carrying Walorski, 58 and her communications director 28-year-old Emma Thomson and district director and GOP chair for St. Joe County, 27-year-old Zachery Potts.

Governor Eric Holcomb responded to the news by saying, “Janet and I are devastated by the tragic loss of our friend Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and her two staffers – Emma Thomson and Zach Potts – earlier today. Our broken hearts go out to her husband Dean and the entire family during this time of unimaginable mourning. At every level of public service Jackie was known to be a positive force of nature, a patriot, and a relentless policy maker with an unwavering loyalty to her constituents. Jackie’s record of achievement is impossible to quantify. She will be remembered as a fighter with a huge heart that always went the extra mile and I’ll treasure the times we walked a few of those together. Every waking moment for her was energetically devoted to improving the lives of all Hoosiers better, the epitome of a good and faithful servant. She, and the example she set, will be missed every day forward.”

Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch also commented, saying, “”I was shocked and heartbroken when I received the news today about the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. Jackie and I served together in the Indiana House of Representatives, and she was a fighter for her constituents and conservative Hoosier values. My heart goes out to her husband, Dean, and the rest of her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.”

“Jackie Walorski was a woman who stood strong in her values, cared for her family, and served Hoosiers well. I have many great memories and stories of our time together in Congress and on the campaign trail. In addition to everything else, she had a great sense of humor. She will be missed. Our sympathies also go out to the families of Zach Potts and Emma Thomson who died in the same tragic accident. Hoosiers across the state mourn the loss of these public servants,” said Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

Former Governor and Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, who worked with Rep. Walorski while she was in the Indiana Statehouse, commented, saying, “There could not be worse news. I’m heartsick at this tragedy. Jackie Walorski was a great public servant, a brave and constant ally for change during all my years in elected office, and a great representative of her district at both the state and national levels. I can’t say how much I’ll miss her.”