Said by her peers “to light up a room when she entered it”, Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN), died along with three others in a car crash on Wednesday afternoon in Indiana. Ms. Walorski represented Indiana’s Second Congressional District.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, around 12:32 PM, according to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office who responded to the two-car crash on SR 19 south of SR 119. In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office said-
“A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head-on with a southbound sports utility vehicle,” adding (all three occupants heading southbound) “died as a result of their injuries.”
-Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office
The three occupants in the vehicle heading southbound, included Rep. Walorski, Zachery Potts, and Emma Thomson, two of her congressional aides. Rep. Walorski was back in her home district because the House was out of session.
Pronounced deceased at the scene, the sheriff’s office added that, the single occupant in the vehicle heading northbound, was Edith Schmucker. Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating the crash.
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Minority Leader released a statement from the Walorski Office:
“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. She has returned home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. We will have no further comment at this time.”
-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
Rep. Walorski was described by McCarthy as exuding-
“compassion, dedication, integrity, she always put others first, was committed to making the country a better place, and was a tough, no-nonsense…straight shooter”.
-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
From the Romanian foundation that she ran, before coming to serve in Congress, through to her servant leadership there, Ms. Walorski demonstrated the values she lived by. While America mourns her loss and doesn’t understand why this happened, God has a plan. May she enjoy her return home, knowing that she completed her job here on earth - well done.
May we also be so blessed to hear of the Lord-
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
-Matthew 25:21 King James Bible