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Remembering Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson, who died in crash in Elkhart County

By: Luke Schrock Facebook | Twitter

Posted: Aug 4, 2022 6:35 PM EDT

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson are being remembered for their dedication, passion, and personability.

Colleagues and friends of Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson are mourning their loss after a tragic car crash in Elkhart County claimed their lives Wednesday.

St. Joseph County Commissioner Andy Kostielney tells me he was in disbelief when he got the news.

“I had to re-read the text about 20 times. I called a couple of folks and the first thing I thought of when it kind of sunk in was I better call Zach, so when I got his voicemail I just got this pit in my stomach thinking oh my God of course he would’ve been with Jackie,” said Kostielney.

When remembering Potts, he said Zach always did things the right way.

“He wouldn’t do it at the expense of what was right. I think that was what made him so successful. Like I said he was a fierce fundraiser and did whatever he could to help people, but he made sure to do it the right way,” Kostielney says.

Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood thought Potts and Walorski worked well with each other despite their different personalities.

“I think he complemented Representative Walorski very well. They were in some ways opposite in personality but he got a lot of things done and he really brought the same value system,” said Wood.

Mayor Wood did not work with Emma Thomson often but says she was a good addition to the team.

“And you throw Emma into that too, she really complemented that group and just gonna be sorely missed,” Wood said.

Kostielney remembers Thomson for her hard work and dedication.

“Anytime a life is taken that young it’s such a tragic accident and it’s terrible. I know I heard nothing but good things about her and everyone that worked with her was very impressed by her hard work and dedication too. It’s just a sad, sad time,” Kostielney said.

Congressman John Joyce worked closely with Thomson before she joined Walorski's team in Indiana.

In a statement he says:

“For two years I had the privilege and honor to work with Emma Thomson. Emma’s intelligence, creativity, drive, determination and humor were second to none. Emma’s work ethic was unparalleled in addition to leading my first re-election campaign. Emma was the voice of our team connecting with, and reassuring, our constituents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic”

Both Potts and Thomson will be greatly missed

> https://www.abc57.com/news/remembering-zachery-potts-and-emma-thomson-who-died-in-crash-in-elkhart-county

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Zachery Potts & Emma Thomson: Tribute to Jackie Walorski Aides

Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson were the two aides to U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, who died with the Indiana congresswoman in a two-vehicle crash.

Their names were released by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department. Both had already developed lengthy careers in politics even though they were still in their 20s.

Walorski, 58, was killed in the traffic crash, according to her office.

According to her Congressional biography, Walorski, a Republican, served on some powerful committees, including the House Ways and Means Committee. She was the ranking member of the “Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support,” and she served as the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee, the bio says.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Emma Thomson Was a Communications Director For Another Congressman & Worked in Digital Media

According to her LinkedIn page, Thomson was Walorski’s communications director for more than a year. Before that, she was the campaign manager for Dr. John Joyce for Congress.

She was also the communications director for the Office of Congressman Joyce. Before that, she served as communications director for the Office of Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.

Thomson also worked as a digital communications assistant for the Democracy Fund and as a press assistant for Marco Rubio for President.

She was also an intern in the U.S. Senate.

Zachery Potts Volunteered to Teach Native Spanish Speakers English & Was Chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Party

Zachery Potts, the other person who died, had worked for Walorski for more than three years, according to his LinkedIn page.

Before that, he worked as Walorski’s campaign manager and coordinator. He currently served as chairman of the St. Joseph County Republican Party. He was also 2nd District Young Republicans chair, vice chair of the St. Joseph Republican Party, and Victory Team Captain of the Indiana Republican Party.

Potts was a volunteer at La Casa de Amistad, Inc., helping teach native Spanish speakers the English language. He had bachelor’s degrees from Indiana University in political science/government and sociology.

Walorski’s Husband, Dean Swihart, Confirmed That She Was Killed in a Car Accident, as Did the Sheriff & House Minority Leader

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy released a statement on Twitter that read,

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.

Her official Twitter page also released the same statement.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department released a statement on Facebook that read,

On August 3, 2022 at approximately 12:32 p.m. the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle crash on SR 19 south of SR 119. A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head on with a southbound sports utility vehicle.

All three occupants in the southbound vehicle died as a result of their injuries:

Jackie Walorski, 58, Elkhart, Indiana

Zachery Potts, 27, Mishawaka, Indiana

Emma Thomson, 28, Washington, DC

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The sole occupant of the northbound vehicle, Edith Schmucker, 56, Nappanee, Indiana was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation.

No additional information will be released at this time.

However, on August 4, 2022, the sheriff’s department released an updated statement:

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office has obtained updated information into the vehicle crash that occurred on August 3, 2022. The information from the preliminary investigation at the scene, as to the direction of travel of the vehicles, was not correct. The continuing investigation has located eyewitness and video evidence.

Both confirm that the maroon Buick LeSabre driven by Edith Schmucker, 56, Nappanee, Indiana, was southbound on SR 19 south of SR 119 and the silver Toyota RAV 4, driven by Zachery Potts, 27, Mishawaka, Indiana, was northbound on SR 19. The Toyota RAV 4 crossed the centerline for reasons that are unknown at this time and the two vehicles collided. All occupants of both vehicles were confirmed to have been wearing seatbelts and airbags did deploy. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to interview witnesses and collect evidence from the scene and vehicles. If anyone has information or witnessed this crash, we ask that they contact the Sheriff’s Office. If any new information becomes available as the investigation continues, we will send updated releases.

Walorski had a long history of public service in Indiana. According to her biography, she was first elected to Congress in 2012, with a special interest in fighting for veterans and growing the economy.

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