Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller’s lives were tragically cut short on their wedding night. After tying the knot on April 28, 2023, the newlyweds celebrated with a romantic dance under the stars on the Atlantic coast. However, as they were leaving their wedding on Folly Beach, South Carolina, a drunk driver collided with their cart. Samantha, aged 34, lost her life, while Aric was left in serious condition and two other passengers were also injured.
According to Lisa Miller, Samantha’s mother, the bride had expressed her wish for the night to never end during the golf cart ride, calling it the best night of her life. Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller’s wedding day ended in tragedy when they, along with Aric’s relatives Benjamin and Brogan Garrett, left the reception riding in a low-speed vehicle (LSV), a street-legal cart similar to a golf cart. Just two blocks away from their lodgings, Jamie Lee Komoroski, who was driving a Toyota rental car, crashed into the back of their LSV, causing the death of Samantha and injuring others in the cart.
According to the Associated Press, data from Komoroski’s rental car indicated that she was driving at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone and only briefly applied the brakes before the crash occurred at around 10 p.m. on Folly Beach. The Safety Department Director confirmed that the LSV had functioning lights and was legal to operate at night. Samantha’s mother, who had danced with her daughter just hours before the crash, expressed her shock and disbelief at the incident.
Samantha’s sister, Mandi Jenkins, recalls hearing sirens close to their lodgings on the night of the crash. They went to the crash site after texting Samantha, who did not respond. The collision was so severe that the LSV was thrown about 100 yards and rolled several times before coming to a stop. The crash scene was described as “a large crash scene with a golf cart on its side and several victims lying among the wreckage.”
Lisa was under the impression that her daughter had been taken to the hospital when she was informed of Samantha’s death at the crash site. Although Aric was hospitalized with severe injuries, Samantha, still in her wedding gown, was pronounced dead at the scene. One passenger was stable, while another was in critical condition.
According to police reports, Komoroski, the driver who crashed into them, smelled of alcohol and confessed to consuming one beer and one tequila shot an hour prior. She appeared unsteady and had to be supported by the police. Although she rated herself an eight out of ten in terms of sobriety, she refused to take a field sobriety test and became uncooperative. She also declined to provide a breath sample at the police station, but a warrant was issued for two vials of blood, the results of which are still pending.
Komoroski now faces three charges of drunk driving causing death and reckless vehicular homicide. If convicted on each DUI charge, she could be sentenced to one to 25 years in prison. Due to her history of speeding-related charges, she is currently under suicide watch after telling officers that she wants to die.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to help cover the funeral and medical expenses of the victims involved in the tragic accident. Aric’s mother, Annette Hutchinson, started one of the campaigns to aid in paying for Samantha’s funeral expenses and medical bills for her son, son-in-law Benjamin, and grandson, Brogan. Annette stated that Aric has undergone one of two reconstructive surgeries, and he has a brain injury, numerous broken bones, and is in critical condition. Just five hours after he exchanged vows with Samantha, The campaign has raised nearly $600,000, surpassing its initial goal of $100,000.
The second GoFundMe campaign, started by Samantha’s sister Mandi, is to support the family and has raised nearly $37,000 of its $10,000 target so far. Mandi recalled that Samantha was fearless and that she had no apprehensions on her last day, spending it with the man she loved. She was looking forward to starting her life with Aric and was thrilled on their wedding day.
The day that was supposed to mark the beginning of their lives together turned into a tragic ending, which is incredibly heart-wrenching. Samantha Miller was a stunning young lady, and our love and thoughts go out to Aric and their familie during this difficult time.
