Three weeks after the unfortunate tragedy in South Carolina that killed a newlywed bride and severely injured the groom only a few minutes after their wedding reception, the groom finally spoke up about his loss.
Samantha Miller, 34, wed Aric Hutchinson, 36, in an intimate wedding ceremony in South Carolina. After exchanging their vows, the couple celebrated their wedding day like any other newlyweds – they were excited and thrilled at their wedding cake and greeted all the guests.
However, to their bad luck, only five hours after saying, “I do,” Samantha, the bride, was hit by an alleged drunken driver identified as Komoroski, a 25-year-old female.
Attending a memorial on Saturday on the same beach where he exchanged his wedding vows with his late wife, Aric told WOSC,
“She would’ve loved it. This is Sam, she’s a beach girl, through and through. We do walk here almost every morning, and this is her send off for sure. She’s up there smiling for sure.”
The 36-year-old sat in his wheelchair as he attended the memorial with hundreds of people to pay tribute to his late wife.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he continued. “My body’s getting back to where I can manage. It’s a little overwhelming, they’re sincere, genuine, good-hearted people that are just reaching out that felt a reason to, or somehow they were touched by Sam. It just means the world. She left that impact.”
It was Aric’s first public outing since he was released from the hospital last week.
The couple was sitting in their golf cart at the time of the accident. They were about to leave their wedding reception when Komoroski, who was reportedly driving a Toyota rental car, hit the cart from the back that was carrying the newlyweds.
According to the GoFundMe page set up by the groom’s mother, “they were struck from behind by a drunk driver traveling 65 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. The golf cart was thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times.”
The bride, Samantha, died from her injuries, and her groom, Aric, was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.
“Aric is in serious condition and has had one of two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones, and a brain injury, he will have a long recovery,” the GoFundMe stated earlier.
Last week, Aric’s mom, Annette Hutchinson, updated her statement on her GoFundMe page. She let everyone know that Aric had woken up and was recovering from his injuries at home – he suffered multiple injuries, including two broken bones, brain bleeds, broken vertebrae, and numerous cuts with stitches.
And above all, now he’s been left with the task of planning his beloved bride’s funeral, who didn’t survive the accident and died on April 28.
“We are missing Sam more than anything,” said Aric’s mother, Annette Hutchinson in yesterday’s update on her GoFundMe statement.
“She instantly fit into our family from the first day Aric and Sam met, she was everything to my son and changed him for the better. She could light up a room with her presence and had an ease about her. They shared many hopes and dreams for their future, including children and building a house.”
“From the accident, Aric received multiple injuries, including two broken legs, one of which had to be surgically repaired. He had broken bones in his face, which also had to be surgically repaired.
Broken vertebrae’s in his back, brain bleeds, and numerous cuts with stitches. He is physically recovering at home while trying to come to terms with the loss of his beautiful wife. Now he is doing the unimaginable of planning Sam’s funeral along with her family,” she added.
More than $700,000 has been raised for the burial of Samantha and to cover the medical costs of Aric.
Mrs. Annette Hutchinson also thanked everyone who sent their donations and kind wishes to the grieving family and appreciated the police and hospital staff for helping the family deal with the tragic day.
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