It’s been two weeks since the unfortunate tragedy in South Carolina that killed a newlywed bride and severely injured the groom only a few minutes after their wedding reception.
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.
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 in critical condition in the hospital.
“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.
The latest update says that the groom, Aric has woken up and is 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 which had to be surgically repaired. 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.
According to online court records, “The alleged drunk driver, Jamie Lee Komoroski, is charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm.”
Police said Komoroski, 25, was left uninjured in the crash. The officers who arrested her could smell alcohol. However, she ‘strongly’ refused to admit that she was drunk and became uncooperative when asked to take a field sobriety test after the accident.
“She told first responders that she had had one beer and one tequila shot before the accident. When asked how she felt on a scale of 1 to 10 — with 10 being completely sober — Komoroski rated herself an 8,” WCIV reported.
After the tragedy, the bride’s mother, Lisa Miller, and sister, Mandi Jenkins, spoke to ABC4 and said the person responsible for the death of Samantha must be charged and punished.
“I’ve never seen the light in her eyes shine as bright as that day. At the beginning of the golf car ride she said that she wished the night could go on forever. It was the best night of their lives,” said Mandi Jenkins.
“I never thought it would happen to us and to my beautiful sister and all the 150 people that were there. That person made a careless mistake and it’s not a mistake it’s a life-changing event. She was unbelievably special and now she’s not here.”
Meanwhile, the mother, Lisa, told the news outlet that she saw lights and heard sirens after the ceremony when she was getting ready for bed. She texted Miller to check on Samantha but didn’t receive any reply.
“I got out of my truck with no shoes, running and screaming Sam. She literally ran into my daughter going 65mph. Sam and Aric were on the back of the golf cart – she basically just rammed my child,” she said.
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