Investigation Reveals Cause of Accident That Killed GOP Rep. Jackie Walorski, 3 Others

The investigation into an August crash in Indiana that killed Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and three others revealed that the driver of her vehicle crossed the center line and ran into another car while attempting to pass a flatbed truck on a two-lane highway.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department shared the information in a news release on Friday.

“The Toyota was observed slowing, as what was described as creating distance between the truck and the Toyota,” according to the statement.

“The Toyota was then observed accelerating to a high rate of speed, closing the distance to the unidentified truck. As the Toyota neared the rear of the truck, it swerved into the southbound lane at which it collided with the southbound Buick,” the report added.

The evidence showed that the Toyota RAV4 was driven by Zachery Potts, Walorski’s district director. The vehicle was moving at approximately 82 miles per hour at the time of the accident and had slightly reduced speed before the deployment of the SUV’s airbags.

The August 3 collision caused the deaths of Walorski, 58; 27-year-old Potts, and Emma Thomson, 28, who served as Walorski’s communications director. The driver of the oncoming vehicle, Edith Schmucker, 56, also died in the accident.

“All cell phone information was examined from all occupants of both vehicles. There is no evidence or information that phones were being used prior to or during the crash,” the statement concluded.

As The Daily Wire previously reported, the Elkhart Sheriff’s Department initially said that a vehicle traveling northbound crossed lanes and hit the vehicle carrying Walorski and two political aides.

The department later released new information indicating that it was the RAV4 carrying Walorski that had crossed lanes and hit the other vehicle.

Walorski was first elected to Congress in 2012 after serving three terms in the Indiana Statehouse. She previously worked as a television news reporter and spent four years as a missionary with her husband in Romania.

Her death last month led to a widespread outpouring of tributes nationwide, including condolences from Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.

“I am devastated to learn of the passing of my close friend, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. She was an incredible public servant for Hoosiers and leader within the Republican Party,” she wrote.

I am devastated to learn of the passing of my close friend, Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. She was an incredible public servant for Hoosiers and leader within the Republican Party.

— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) August 3, 2022

“Jackie and I would often travel on the same flight from Detroit to DC. She was an absolute firecracker and I feel blessed to have been able to spend so much time with her,” she added. “The entire Republican National Committee is praying for her family, as well as the families of the two staff who were also tragically killed.”

Voters in the Hoosier state will select their next House leader for the 2nd District on November 8. Republican candidate Rudy Yakym will face Democrat Paul Steury and Libertarian William Henry.

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