U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski

GOSHEN — The estate of Edith Jo Schmucker, one of the four people killed in the Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, car crash that killed U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski, has received a $1.75 million wrongful death settlement.

The issue was ordered Tuesday, Nov. 7, by the Elkhart County Circuit Court, which approved the settlement on behalf of the estate of Schmucker vs. the United States of America.

Schmucker of Nappanee was killed in the crash on SE 19 near the intersection with SR 119 in Elkhart County. The vehicle carrying Walorski and communications director Emma Thomson was driven by Walorski’s district director, Zachary Potts. All three were killed in the accident.

Edith Schmucker

An investigation by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office concluded that Potts attempted to pass a flatbed truck his northbound vehicle was following. The car’s computer records indicated the SUV was traveling 82 mph seconds before it collided with Schmucker’s southbound Buick sedan.

The money is to be paid by multiple different entities, according to Nappanee attorney Christopher G. Walter. The settlement terms do not allow Walter to disclose the sources.

Schmucker died without a will, so the settlement will reportedly go to her son.