ELKHART COUNTY — The crash that killed U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and three other people Wednesday happened after the car they were traveling in crossed a center line and struck another vehicle, officials now say.
The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office originally said it was the second vehicle that crossed over and struck an SUV occupied by Walorski and two of her staffers — Emma Thomson and Zachery Potts, who was driving at the time.
The driver of the second vehicle, Edith Schmucker, was also pronounced dead at the scene.
The sheriff's office said in an update Thursday Walorski and her staffers were traveling northbound on IN 19 in an SUV when the vehicle crossed over "for reasons that are unknown at this time."
At the same time, Schmucker was traveling northbound on IN 19 south of IN 119 when her vehicle was struck by the SUV with Walorski inside.
"All occupants of both vehicles were confirmed to have been wearing seatbelts and airbags did deploy," the sheriff's office said.
Potts was a member of the St. Joseph County Republican Party and the Indiana Republican State Committee. Thomson was Walorski’s communications director.
According to her congressional biography, Walorski was born in South Bend and served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2004 to 2010 before being elected to the U.S. Congress in 2013.
She served Indiana's second Congressional district.
The sheriff's office has asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have more information to contact them at 574-891-2300.
-
Officer fires at Connersville burglary suspect; no serious injuries reported
Indiana State Police are investigating after a Connersville police officer fired at a burglary suspect on Thursday.
Diego Morales ‘confident’ he will be renominated after endorsements pulled
U.S. Sen. Jim Banks and Attorney General Todd Rokita have withdrawn their endorsements of Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales ahead of the November election.
Teen suspects held clerk at gunpoint for chips, vapes during robbery, IMPD says
Three teen suspects were taken into custody early Saturday morning following a string of robberies on Indy’s east side, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Carmel man accused of using fake sheriff's badge to enter IMS
A Carmel man was arrested after allegedly using a fake Marion County Sheriff's badge to get into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on two occasions during busy race season.
