Drunk driver charged after bride killed and husband hospitalised after wedding reception
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Charleston Sheriff Office / GoFundMe
A drunk driver has been charged after a newly-wed bride was killed, and her husband hospitalised shortly after their wedding reception.
Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson were supposed to having the best days of their lives, but Friday 28 April ended in travesty.
Samantha, 34, was killed just minutes after the couple left their wedding reception, with Aric, 36, left critically injured as a woman allegedly crashed into the golf cart they left their wedding reception in.
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Heartbreaking pictures of the newly-weds have been released by the family on a GoFundMe, as the couple are seen laughing and doing a sparkle tunnel just minutes before the devastating crash.
Jamie Komoroski, 25, has been charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm, and is being held in custody.
It's alleged Komoroski was speeding at 65mph in a 25mph zone behind the wheel of a rented Toyota Camry, and under the influence when the tragedy occurred at Folly Beach, South Carolina.
The newlyweds and two others were riding in the cart when it was hit, travelling over 100 yards and rolling several times before coming to an eventual halt.
Samantha was killed instantly from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash, Charleston County Coroner's Office have confirmed.
Police documents have shown that Komoroski 'strongly refused' to take a sobriety tests after the crash, despite looking like she was under the influence, as she looked unsteady on her feet.
WCBD reported (citing the affidavits) that the drunk driver told officers that she had downed a bottle of tequila and a beer just one hour before the fatal crash.
Following the tragedy, a GoFundMe page set up by Aric's devastated mother, Annette Hutchinson, has raised over $460,000 after an initial $100,000 target.
Aric remans in critical condition in hospital, after undergoing one of two reconstruction surgeries, while suffering numerous broken bones and a devastating brain injury.
According to police reports, Aric's brother-in-law, Ben Garrett, and nephew Brogan were also in the cart hit by Komoroski.
A family member has since confirmed that Brogan was released from hospital, whereas Ben was seriously injured.
Komoroski faces up to 25 years in prison and fine of up to $25,100, for the death of Samantha, and an additional 15 years and $10,100 for injuring three others.
For the reckless homicide charge, Komoroski could be handed 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5K, on top of having her license revoked for five years upon release.
That will all be decided when she appears in court in June.