Advertisement

Former Alaska Republican Lawmaker Dies In Car Crash

Advertisement

OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.


Former Alaska Republican lawmaker Vic Kohring has died in a vehicle crash.

“Alaska State Troopers say the 64-year-old Wasilla resident was driving a minivan that collided head-on with a semi-truck after crossing the center line of the Glenn Highway north of Palmer. Kohring served in the state House from 1995 until he resigned in 2007. He was chair of a special oil and gas committee. He favored small government, opposed taxes, and slept in his Juneau office to save money,” Alaska Public reported.

He was driving a Toyota minivan when he crossed the center line for unknown reasons and collided with the truck, Alaska State Troopers said.

“Troopers and first responders immediately responded to the scene. Troopers discovered a Toyota minivan had collided head-on with a semi-truck after crossing the center line for unknown reasons. The driver, and sole occupant, of the Toyota minivan, was declared deceased on the scene. The AST Bureau of Highway Patrol conducted an investigation of the crash scene and assumed case responsibility for the investigation. The decedent’s body was transported to the State Medical Examiner for autopsy. The decedent will be identified after next of kin notifications are complete. The Glenn Highway was closed in both directions for approximately two hours as Troopers documented the scene and cleared the roadway,” the statement read from the Alaska State Troopers.

Advertisement

In early August, Indiana Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski was killed in a head-on car crash.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing this statement from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski,” Republican House Minority Leader and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter.

“I’m shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of this terrible crash. Though we came from very different places politically, she was always prepared to work together where there was common ground, always decent and straightforward, and she cared deeply about her work and her constituents,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on Twitter.

“Jackie was a very good friend. I’m devastated. This is a major loss for our community,” Rep. Jake Teshka said.

“My heart is broken for Dean, the Walorski family, and all who knew and loved my friend Jackie. Jackie was a true public servant –selfless, humble, and compassionate. She was a devout Christian, a passionate advocate for life, and a leader among Hoosier representatives. Everything Jackie did was to serve others. Before Congress, she served in the Indiana Statehouse and she and her husband served as missionaries in Romania where they provided impoverished children food and medical care. From my first day in Congress, Jackie showed me kindness and grace. She had a heart of gold, and I will miss her dearly. Please join Amanda and I in praying for Jackie’s loved ones and the friends and family of her two staff members who also lost their lives in this tragic accident,” Rep. Jim Banks said.

Advertisement

“I’m truly devastated. Jackie loved Hoosiers and devoted her life to fighting for them. I’ll never forget her spirit, her positive attitude, and most importantly her friendship. All of Indiana mourns her passing, along with the tragic deaths of her staff Emma Thomson and Zach Potts. Please join me in praying for their families in this difficult time,” Sen. Todd Young said in a tweet.

“Just seeing the awful news about Rep. Jackie Walorski. Heartbreaking. I’ll be praying for her family after this awful and shocking tragedy. May God surround and comfort them all,” Rep. Lauren Boebert said.

“I am stunned to hear about the death of my friend and colleague, Jackie Walorski. Our offices neighbor each other in DC, and I was honored to call her my friend. Please join Brenda and me in praying for Jackie’s family and for the families of the others who lost their lives,” Tennessee Rep. Chuck Fleischmann said.