A bride was tragically killed only minutes after her wedding reception when a drunk driver slammed into the back of a golf cart she was riding in with her new husband. Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson were celebrating their marriage in Folly Beach, South Carolina when Jamie Lee Komoroski came speeding towards them at 65mph, 40mph over the speed limit in the area, at around 10 p.m. Sadly, 34-year-old Miller died in the crash, the Charleston County Coroner’s Office announced.
Folly Beach Public Safety Department Director Andrew Gilreath said that three other people were riding in the golf cart and all were injured, including Hutchinson. The golf cart had the proper lights and was legal to drive at night.
Aric Hutchinson is currently in the hospital recovering from a brain injury and several broken bones due to being thrown more than 100 yards in the crash. Benjamin Garrett, Aric’s brother-in-law, and his nephew Brogan Garrett were also in the car. Benjamin is said to also be in serious condition.
Folly Beach Police
Hutchinson’s mother Annette arranged a GoFundMe in the wake of the tragedy to pay for Miller’s funeral and her son’s medical bills. At the time of writing, it has raised more than $570,000. The page includes details and updates on Aric’s condition. At one point, Annette revealed that she was given a bag with her son’s wedding band as well as his wife’s just hours after they placed them on one another’s fingers.
Jamie Lee Komoroski has been placed under arrest and charged with reckless vehicular homicide as well as three counts of driving under the influence causing death. Each DUI count alone carries a sentence of up to 25 years behind bars, meaning she’s unlikely to walk free again. She’s being held in the Charleston County jail, and it’s unclear if she has an attorney at this time.
Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson had their whole lives ahead of them, and now it’s all been destroyed. This is a heartbreaking story all around.
