Drunk driver kills newlywed bride shortly after wedding
A wedding turned into a tragedy for one American couple.
A drunk driver killed a newlywed bride shortly after her wedding in the US state of South Carolina last week on Friday, April 28. The drunk driver crashed into the back of a golf cart that the bride and groom were riding in on a beach road.
The bride, 34 year old Samantha Miller, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was killed only hours after her wedding. The groom, Aric Hutchinson, from Utah, is in critical condition. He suffered a brain injury and numerous broken bones.
The crash also left two other family members injured. The Folly Beach Public Safety Department Chief, Andrew Gilreath, confirmed that the golf cart had proper lights and was legally allowed to be driven at night.
Police have identified the driver of the rental car that hit the golf cart as 25 year old Jamie Lee Komoroski, who lives in Charleston. Komoroski was reportedly driving over twice the speed limit at the time of the accident, going 65 miles per hour in a 25mph zone. Data retrieved from her rental car shows that she briefly hit the brakes before slamming into the golf cart at around 10.15pm on Friday.
Komoroski has been charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury. She refused a sobriety and a breath test at the scene, but hospital workers drew a blood sample after her arrest. Her exact blood alcohol content has not been disclosed.
According to court records, Komoroski is currently in jail in Charleston County without a bond, and her next court date has been set for mid-June.
The golf cart was being used to escort the newlywed couple from their reception when they were hit. A fundraiser has been set up by the groom’s mother to help pay for the funeral of Samantha Miller and her son’s medical bills.
Aric’s sister, Alexis Garrett, wrote a heartbreaking post about the incident on Facebook, with a link to a GoFundMe page. Garrett wrote…
“My sweet brother lost the love of his life, and my brand new sister-in-law only hours after they said I do. To say we are all heartbroken is an understatement… Hug your loved ones close and tell them how much you love them.”
