Police Change Story About Events That Led To Crash That Killed U.S. Congresswoman

Law enforcement officials in Indiana released new information Thursday afternoon about the car crash that killed U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and three other people this week after initial reports about what happened were apparently inaccurate.

Initial reports said that a vehicle that was traveling northbound crossed lanes and hit the vehicle that was carrying Walorski and two political aides.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office released new information indicating that it was the vehicle carrying Walorski that crossed lanes and hit the other vehicle.

“The information from the preliminary investigation at the scene, as to the direction of travel of the vehicles, was not correct,” the statement said, noting that witnesses and video evidence has changed law enforcement’s understanding of what happened. “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,” the statement continued. “All occupants of both vehicles were confirmed to have been wearing seatbelts and airbags did deploy.”

The Sheriff’s Office said that it is continuing to investigate the accident by collecting evidence and talking to witnesses.