Jess Hardiman
The mum of a bride who was killed on her wedding day has shared the sweet surprise her daughter had organised for her.
Samantha Miller, 34, was killed as Jamie Komoroski, 25, allegedly crashed into the golf cart they left their wedding reception in.
Her new husband Aric Hutchinson, 36, was also left critically injured.
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Komoroski is being held in custody on three charges of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm or death and one count of reckless homicide.
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 had been riding in the cart with two others when they were hit, with Samantha killed instantly from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.
Her devastated family are left with bittersweet memories of the couple’s big day – including a sweet ‘surprise’ they’d organised for mum Lisa Miller.
Speaking to WCIV, Samantha’s sister Mandi Jenkins recalled getting ready with the excited bride.
“It was the best day of her life,” she said.
“I’ve never seen the light in her eyes shine as bright as that day, from the moment that day started, getting ready for her wedding at the house.”
Mum Lisa said the couple had organised an incredible treat for her.
“They announced a surprise dance for the most important person in Sam's life,” she said.
“Which was me and we danced to Bruno Mars. ‘Just The Way You Are’. That's our song."
Miller added: “On the beginning of the golf cart ride, she said I wished this night could go on forever. The best night of her life.”
Samantha and Aric had been just two blocks away from their home when their golf cart was hit.
Mandi said: "We were in our pajamas sitting on the balcony beside Bert's at our place where we're staying and started to hear the sirens. And the sirens kept going.
“[…] Caution tape, so many lights, it was dark. But there were so many lights.”
A GoFundMe page set up by Aric's devastated mother, Annette Hutchinson, has raised $479,000 to 'help pay for Sam's burial and medical costs for Aric and his family'.
Undergoing one of two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones, and a brain injury, it's unclear if Aric is aware that his wife has died.
He has been in a critical condition since the incident and his brother-in-law, Ben Garrett, and nephew Brogan were also in the cart hit by Komoroski, according to police reports.