Bride’s maid killed by drunk driver, 25, says furious at drunk driver
The bridesmaid of a newlywed who was killed by a drunk driver just hours after her wedding said she was heartbroken and enraged by the events leading up to her best friend’s death.
Samantha Miller, 34, and Aric Hutchinson, 36, celebrated their nuptials shortly before they were allegedly rear-ended by Jamie Komoroski, 25, in Folly Beach, South Carolina, on Friday.
Bridesmaid Ashley Favret said the wedding had gone perfectly so far and she can’t believe a drunk driver killed her best friend.
‘It makes me angry. A stupid decision because of alcohol cost her her life,” said Favret.
Favret added that until then, Miller’s wedding was “everything she’d dreamed that day would be.”
Bridesmaid Ashley Favret said the wedding had gone perfectly so far and she can’t believe a drunk driver killed her best friend
Noting that Hutchinson had lost the love of his life, Favret called Miller a soulmate and doesn’t know how to move on without her best friend of over 15 years.
“She brought light almost everywhere,” Favret said. ‘I miss her. I don’t know what to do without her.’
Heartbreaking photos showed the happy couple just before disaster struck, beaming as they were waved goodbye by their star-studded guests.
The “sweet” newlywed couple and two other occupants of the buggy were in the vehicle when it rolled over 100 meters several times, killing the bride instantly.
According to the Folly Beach Police Department, Komoroski was reportedly driving at 65 mph in a 16 mph zone and drunk behind the wheel of a rented Toyota Camry.
Aric has been left in critical condition, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his mother, Annette Hutchinson.
It is unclear if the groom is aware of his wife’s death as he has been in critical condition since the incident.
He has undergone reconstruction surgery and is about to undergo another, as well as numerous broken bones and brain injuries.
Favret, pictured with the happy couple and friends, added that until then, Miller’s wedding was “everything she’d dreamed that day would be”
Samantha Miller, 34, and Aric Hutchinson, 36, celebrated their wedding moments before being hit by a drunk driver
Aric has had one reconstruction surgery and is about to have another, and he is suffering from numerous broken bones and brain injuries
Jamie Komoroski, 25, has been charged with three counts of DUI resulting in grievous bodily harm or death and one count of reckless manslaughter
Sam and Aric were escorted by his brother-in-law Ben Garrett and cousin Brogan when they were reportedly hit by Komoroski. Ben was also seriously injured.
A family member confirmed that Brogan was released on Sunday and is recovering, despite being “beaten up and sore.”
The GoFundMe has raised over $626,000 with Anette writing, “I got Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital five hours after Sam put it on his finger and they read each other their vows. Aric has lost the love of his life.
The couple settled in both the groom’s home state of Utah and the state of South Carolina. The bride is from North Carolina.
“The groom graduated from Bonneville High School in South Ogden, Utah and played college football for Snow College and Utah Tech.”
The “sweet” newlywed couple and two other occupants of the buggy were in the vehicle when it rolled over 100 meters several times, killing the bride instantly.
Friends paid tribute to the bride, calling her ‘one of the nicest people’
A family member confirmed that one of the men was released on Sunday and is recovering despite being ‘beat up and sore’
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Sam died at the scene of blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.
Her friends paid tribute to the bride, calling her “one of the nicest people” while saying of the pair: “Nobody deserves this, but especially not Aric and Sam, a dream couple who brought so much life, laughter and zest to life .’
Another added: ‘I’ll never forget when she applied for her office job, we asked her where she saw herself in 10 years.
Her answer, without missing a beat, was married to the love of her life and a mother.
“That was all tragically taken over by a careless person on the night her dream was just beginning.”
Folly Beach public safety director Andrew Gilreath said the golf cart — a six-passenger, slow-moving model with a maximum speed of 25 mph — was legal to drive at night.
The Folly Beach Police Department confirmed the incident occurred at around 10 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue
Sam and Aric were escorted by his brother-in-law Ben Garrett and cousin Brogan when they were hit by Komoroski
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Sam died at the scene of blunt force injuries sustained in the crash
The Folly Beach Police Department confirmed the incident occurred at the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue at around 10 p.m.
Komoroski was the sole occupant of the vehicle when she rode into the back of the car and has been charged with three counts of drunk driving resulting in serious bodily injury or death and one count of reckless homicide.
The Logistics Account Executive remains in custody at Sheriff Al Cannon’s detention center and will appear in court in June in connection with the incident.
She faces up to 25 years in prison for the bride’s death, as well as a fine of up to $25,100, and an additional 15 years and $10,100 for the serious injury to the men in the buggy.
For the reckless murder, she could face a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $5,000, as well as having her driver’s license revoked for five years after release.