GOP House Representative Jackie Walorski tragically died in a car accident on Wednesday afternoon.
The accident also killed 2 staffers that were traveling with the congresswomen.
While Walorski was traveling, another vehicle crossed the median and ran straight into Walorski’s car.
The Congresswomen and her staffers died just moments after the head-on collision.
Here’s where things get interesting.
The incident is reportedly being investigated.
While the collision appears to be an accident, this happens as death threats and assassination attempts against Republicans have spiked in recent weeks.
In just a few months, Republicans and Democrats will battle for control of congress.
Was this truly an accident?
We’ll know more after the investigation.
Details below:
Rep. Jackie Walorski, the top Republican on the House Ethics Committee, and two of her staffers were killed in a car crash, local officials confirmed to @Axios
An investigation is ongoing.https://t.co/Jq0uLEKMTw
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) August 3, 2022
They might want to do an investigation of what she was working on. Hate to say it but seems kind of seems like a Princess Diana style hit… 🤔 Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski killed in car crash https://t.co/cNvu56eNHy via @Yahoo
— Leverage Monkey🐒 (No DM’s or paid group) (@LeverageMonkey) August 3, 2022
@RepRonnyJackson, former WH Medical Unit boss turned Republican congressman, is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee
Ethics Committee Chair Ted Deutch & Ranking Member Jackie Walorski took up a matter referred Dec 2021 & would announce “course of action” by May 23 pic.twitter.com/bJqs4uwokh
— Maggie Jordan 91 criminal charges, 4 jurisdictions (@MaggieJordanACN) April 8, 2022
The driver of the car that hit Walorski was also killed during the incident.
Axios confirms the investigation:
Longtime Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) was killed in a car crash in her district on Wednesday, according to local officials. She was 58.
Walorski and two of her staffers, Emma Thomson, 28, and Zachery Potts, 27, were killed when a car driving the opposite direction veered into oncoming traffic, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s office said in a press release.
The driver of that car, Edith Schmucker, 56, was killed as well and an investigation is ongoing.
What they’re saying: “Though we came from very different places politically, she was always prepared to work together where there was common ground, always decent and straightforward,” tweeted Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, whose hometown of South Bend is in Walorski’s district.
“She cared deeply about her work and her constituents,” he added.
Walorski was a true patriot and conservative.
Her constituents in Indiana loved her, as she was re-elected four times and prioritized taking care of our veterans.
No wonder the outpouring of support, love, and condolences is so immense!
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
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Jackie Walorski. Jackie loved Hoosiers, her country and served with honor in Congress. My prayers are with her family as well as the families of Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson. pic.twitter.com/qMuj6dbqp8
— Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan (@OfficialSOSIN) August 3, 2022
I have lost a dear friend. Jackie Walorski is irreplaceable: one of the smartest and most compassionate people I have ever met. I will miss her. She was a true patriot of high moral character. Jackie now will fly with the angels above. pic.twitter.com/GuZHYkng6L
— Rep. Brad Wenstrup (@RepBradWenstrup) August 3, 2022
No other cars were involved in the accident.
It was just Walorski’s vehicle and the other car that crossed the median, running into her car head-on.
The Washington Examiner has more information on the tragedy:
Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) died in a car crash in Elkhart County, Indiana, along with three other people on Wednesday afternoon.
A car with Walorski, 58, and two other passengers was heading southbound on state Route 19 when a car heading northbound veered left and collided with the southbound car, according to a CBS affiliate in South Bend.
The occupants in the southbound vehicle were Walorski, Emma Thomson, 28, who served as the congresswoman’s communications director, and Zachery Potts, a 27-year-old aide to the congresswoman. The driver and sole occupant of the northbound vehicle was Edith Schmucker, 56. All four occupants in both vehicles were killed.
[…]
Walorski had a varied career before being elected to Congress. She began her professional life as a television anchor for the CBS affiliate in South Bend in 1985 until 1989, when she became executive director of the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, where she served until 1991. She then worked in a variety of fundraising roles, including at the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce and Indiana University, South Bend.
Walorski moved to Romania in 2000, where she founded Impact International, which sought to provide medical supplies to impoverished children. She also conducted Christian missionary work before returning to the United States in 2004.
Walorski turned to politics and elected office that same year, running for and winning an open seat in Indiana’s House of Representatives. She made her first run for Congress in 2010 against Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly. Walorski lost narrowly, 48% to 47%, in a strong Republican year nationwide.
But Walorski was back two years later, running successfully for the northwest Indiana House seat when Donnelly successfully sought a promotion to the Senate. In the House, Walorski quickly garnered the respect of colleagues across the aisle. She was a member of the House Armed Services, Budget, and Veterans’ Affairs committees.
And since the start of the 117th Congress in January 2021, Walorski was the top Republican lawmaker on the House Ethics Committee. The sensitive post involves possibly sitting in judgment of House colleagues of both parties and is entrusted to members who command bipartisan respect.
Our condolences, well-wishes, and prayers extend to her surviving family members and friends.
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