Bride Killed Minutes After Leaving Wedding Reception As Drunk Driver Rams Into Newlyweds' Golf Cart
According to the Associated Press, the accident resulted in the death of the bride, Samantha Miller, who was 34 years old. Her groom, Aric Hutchinson, sustained severe injuries and has undergone one of two reconstruction surgeries.
A fairytale wedding turned into a massive tragedy after the bride was killed and the groom suffered injuries in an accident just moments after the newlyweds left their wedding reception.
A tragic accident occurred in South Carolina, where a newlywed couple was hit by an alleged drunk driver just minutes after leaving their wedding reception.
According to the Associated Press, the accident resulted in the death of the bride, Samantha Miller, who was 34 years old.
Her groom, Aric Hutchinson, sustained severe injuries and has undergone one of two reconstruction surgeries.
According to a GoFundMe page set up by his mother, Annette Hutchinson, he also suffered numerous broken bones and a brain injury.
As per online records, Jamie Lee Komoroski, the accused drunk driver, has been charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm.
According to local Charleston news station WYFF, "an investigation into the crash determined she was going 65 mph when she struck the cart."
Data from Komoroski's rental car showed she was driving more than twice the speed limit and only "briefly hit the brakes before she hit the golf cart around 10 p.m. Friday" in Folly Beach, South Carolina, according to the AP.
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It is currently unknown whether the 25-year-old Komoroski has sought legal representation.
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According to Annette Hutchinson, Aric's mother, two additional people were in the golf cart, and one suffered severe injuries.
On 4/28 we lost Samantha Miller Hutchinson on the night of her wedding. She was leaving the venue with her new husband on the back of a golf cart when a drunk driver ran directly into her going 65mph. Devastated isn¡¯t even the word. To go from having a night where we hoped for pic.twitter.com/b1I4ITTve4
¡ª Yaz (@yaz_aze) May 2, 2023
"Miller, a passenger in the golf cart, died on the scene from blunt force injuries sustained in the accident," said Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal in a statement to PEOPLE.
Our extreme sorrow, thoughts and prayers go to the family of Samantha Miller and Aric who continues to recover from injuries.
¡ª Charleston Daily (@ChuckTownDaily) May 2, 2023
To experience this level of loss hours after the happiest moment of your lives is immeasurable. #charlestonsc #follybeach #charlestondaily pic.twitter.com/NDzISNi6FO
"A sister, a daughter, a wife, died in her wedding dress because someone made a terrible decision," said Mani Jenkins, sister of the bride, in an emotional interview with NBC News.
"My son-in-law Benjamin Garrett and grandson Brogan Garrett from Morgan, Utah, were escorting the couple from the reception in a golf cart when they were struck from behind by a drunk driver traveling 65 MPH in a 25 MPH zone," Annette wrote on the GoFundMe page.
This has to be the worst story I heard all year. Her name was Samantha Miller.
¡ª Loner (@khiFLY) May 2, 2023
His name is Aric Hutchinson. This is their wedding day. Moments after this picture were taken, Aric lost his bride to a drunk driver. The start of their new life ended so soon, smh. pic.twitter.com/NpL5rivhs5
"The golf cart was thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times."
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Aric Hutchinson, the groom, is in serious condition and "has had one of two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones, and a brain injury," according to the GoFundMe page.
This is Samantha Miller right before her wedding on Friday. Her sister shared this photo with me.
¡ª Jordan Cioppa (@JordanCioppaTV) May 2, 2023
A beautiful wedding day ended in tragedy when Sam was killed in a DUI crash just a few hours after she and her husband Aric Hutchinson said ¡°I do.¡± ? pic.twitter.com/CdcnwS1jrC
"I was handed Aric's wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger, and they read each other their vows," Annette wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Aric has lost the love of his life."
GoFundMe has raised more than $430,000.
(With inputs from AP)
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