RIP Representative Jackie Walorski
Republican House member from Indiana’s 2nd Congressional district Jackie Walorski was killed in a head-on collision today in Elkhard Country, Indiana. It sounds as though it was a horrific accident. Everyone involved was killed, including two of Walorski’s aides (ages 27 and 28) and the driver of the other vehicle, which apparently “traveled left of center” – meaning perhaps that it crossed into oncoming traffic.
I had never heard of Walorski before today, but reports are that she was highly thought of and very popular in her district.
Bless them all. And their familys & friends!!
Such an unexpected tragedy.
I wonder if the driver who crossed over had a health crisis.
Here is a link to Walorski’s Congressional web page:
https://walorski.house.gov/
From the page “About Jackie”–
A Note from Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Welcome, residents of Indiana’s 2nd District!
It is truly an honor to represent you in Congress. As a lifelong Hoosier, born and raised in South Bend, I’m dedicated to fighting for you and your family.
I work every day toward finding commonsense solutions to grow our economy, bring good jobs to northern Indiana, strengthen our national security, ensure our veterans get the services and care they earned, and keep the American Dream alive for Hoosier workers and families.
I serve on the House Ways and Means Committee and as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, where I’m focused on helping small businesses and manufacturers grow, expanding opportunities for American workers to succeed, and empowering individuals and families to thrive. I also serve as the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee, working to hold members of the House to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
A great loss. Prayers up for all who died, and for those they leave behind.
Typo: Elkhard should be Elkhart.
I am thinking either inattention on the part of the driver who crossed the center line, or ethanol was involved, perhaps both. A head on at a closing rate of 110 mph is not a pretty sight.
She worked at several different trades over the years and did mission work in Eastern Europe. She was past 40 when she was first elected to public office. Been seeing a lot of commentary about her constituent service work. Seems to have been one of the more unpretentious and benign figures in Congress.
I’m guessing the driver of the other car fell asleep at the wheel or was fiddling with something on her dashboard. Life is fragile.
The local sheriff has amended his initial statement. Evidently there are eyewitnesses and video evidence which indicates that Rep. Walorski’s team was traveling north, not south, and that it was her vehicle which crossed into oncoming traffic, not that of the other party to the accident. Evidently the driver was her district director, Zach Potts. Law enforcement also says that all four people in the vehicles were wearing seatbelts and that air bags did deploy.