Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) was killed in a car accident on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has confirmed in a statement.
The congresswoman was 58 years old.
Four people died in a crash at SR 19 and SR 119 near Nappanee Wednesday afternoon.
One of the victims was Walorski and two of the others killed in the crash, Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, worked on the lawmaker’s staff.
The crash happened at 12:32 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of SR 19 and SR 119.
“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,” Walorski’s office said in a statement.
“She has returned home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“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.”
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 (@SpeakerMcCarthy) August 3, 2022
Secretary Pete Buttigieg said:
“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.
“Though we came from very different places politically, she was always prepared to work together where there was common ground, always decent and straightforward, and she cared deeply about her work and her constituents.”
Representative Jake Teshka said in a statement:
“Jackie was a very good friend.
’I’m devastated. This is a major loss for our community.”
#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
