Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (08/01-08/07)

Fiery Southern California Crash Kills 5, Including Baby

Thursday, August 4 (SFGate) – A crash at a Windsor Hills intersection on Thursday killed five people, according to authorities, including a baby. The accident occured shortly after 1:30 p.m. Involving as many as six cars, it was caused by a Mercedes-Benz sedan that sped through a red light. Two vehicles caught fire and several people were flung from their cars. Video showed the Mercedes hitting other cars, sending them onto the sidewalk and against a gas station sign. Police say the car was traveling at least 50 mph before the crash, and that eight people (including the driver of the Mercedes) were taken to the hospital. Several bystanders reported their accounts and attempts to reach safety.

Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski, 3 Others Killed in Car Crash, Authorities Say

Thursday, August 4 (ABC News) – Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski, 58, and three others were killed in a car crash in Nappanee, IN, on Wednesday, according to authorities. Walorski was traveling southbound on SR 19 in an SUV that crossed the dividing line and crashed head-on with a northbound vehicle, said the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office. The other victims killed were identified by Sheriff’s officials as Zackery Potts, 27; Emma Thomson, 28 (both also in the SUV); and Edith Schmucker, 56, the driver of the other vehicle. Police say all the victims had seatbelts on.

Thomson worked as Walorski’s communications director, while Potts was previously her campaign manager and currently a district director for the Indiana House of Representatives. Walorski was a former state lawmaker and, since 2013, represented the state’s 2^nd Congressional District. According to a spokesman for her, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags to half-staff at the Capitol. Statements on her death were posted by Rep. Adam Kinzinger, of Illinois, as well as President Joe Biden.

Falling Tree Branch Causes Fatal Crash Involving Teen Driver in Cass County

Wednesday, August 3 (WWMT.com) – Police identified a fallen tree as the cause of a car crash that killed Landen Taggart, 17, of Dowagiac on Wednesday. Cass County Deputies responded at around 4:30 p.m. to a single car crash on Peavine Street near California Road in Pokagon Township. Taggart was driving westbound on Peavine when a tree branch hit his car, forcing it off the road, said deputies; the car then hit another tree. Investigators say he was wearing a seatbelt while alcohol or drugs don’t appear to have been factors in the crash.