A wedding night meant to be filled with joy and the promise of forever was shattered in an instant, leaving a newlywed reeling from unimaginable loss. Aric Hutchinson’s life irrevocably changed on April 28, 2023, when a drunk driver collided with the golf cart he and his wife, Samantha Miller, were riding in after their wedding celebration.
Samantha, still radiant in her wedding dress, tragically lost her life in the crash. Hutchinson and two other passengers sustained serious injuries as their vehicle was violently thrown over 100 yards and rolled repeatedly. The impact left Hutchinson with broken legs and multiple facial fractures, requiring extensive surgeries and a long road to recovery.
The driver, 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. Data recovered from the rental car revealed she was speeding at 105 km/h in a 40-km/h zone, applying the brakes only moments before the devastating impact.
Hutchinson pursued legal action not only against Komoroski but also against several Folly Beach establishments. The lawsuit alleged these bars irresponsibly served Komoroski “copious amounts of alcohol” despite her visibly intoxicated state, allowing her to “slur and stagger” through their premises.
A final settlement of $160,000 has been reached with Komoroski’s vehicle insurer, with Hutchinson receiving a net total of $104,586.67 after legal fees and associated costs are covered. This follows previous settlements totaling over $863,000.
Komoroski pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including DUI causing death and reckless homicide. In December 2024, she was sentenced to 25 years in prison, a consequence for a choice that extinguished a young bride’s life and forever altered the course of another’s.
The settlement brings a degree of closure to a horrific chapter, but it cannot erase the pain and grief. Hutchinson now carries the weight of a lost future, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving and the importance of responsible alcohol service.
