Grieving groom whose bride was killed by ‘drunk driver’ on their wedding night is in bitter fight with his mother-in-law over her estate – as she challenges validity of their marriage

The mother of a bride killed by a drunk driver on her wedding day is taking legal action against her son-in-law, accusing him of fraud and “dishonoring my daughter”, amid a row over insurance claims and cash settlements.

Samantha Miller, 34, was killed on April 28 while celebrating her wedding at Folly Beach in South Carolina.

Jamie Lee Komoroski, 26, was three times over the legal limit when she crashed her car into Miller's golf cart, which was carrying the bride and her new husband, Aric Hutchinson, 36. He was seriously injured.

Miller's mother Lisa was initially effusive in her praise of Hutchinson, saying he was like a son to her.

But she has now petitioned the court to remove him as executor of his late wife's estate, even claiming their marriage was not legitimate.

At stake is a potentially large legal settlement.

Samantha Miller, 34, and Aric Hutchinson, 36, are pictured on their wedding day on April 28. She would be killed by a drunk driver shortly after this photo was taken

A Toyota Camry driven by Jamie Lee Komoroski, 26, is seen breaking through the fence

Aric Hutchinson is seen in hospital after the crash that killed his new bride

Jamie Lee Komoroski, 26, is pictured in a mugshot after the fatal crash

In October, two South Carolina beach bars settled a wrongful death lawsuit alleging Komoroski became “visibly intoxicated” before crashing. The Crab Shack and The Drop In Bar & Deli were among several companies that agreed to settle with Miller's estate, as was Progressive Northern Insurance Co.

The settlement amounts have not been made public and a judge has yet to approve the request to approve the death settlement.

Lisa Miller challenged the settlements in court by filing, then withdrawing, then refiling a motion to intervene in the case.

She said The post and courier that she felt Hutchinson was sidelining her from the payout, which was not what her daughter would have wanted.

“Aric and I had agreed several times that Sam would want us to do everything together since we are the two most important people in her life,” she said.

'I never wanted to question the validity of the marriage. I never wanted to shame Sam.

“But I feel like Aric is dishonoring my daughter by going against her wishes.”

Lisa Miller, left, and her other daughter Mandi Jenkins, right. Lisa Miller takes her late daughter Samantha's new husband to court over her estate

Miller's attorney, Jerry Meehan, accused Hutchinson of trying to orchestrate a “cash grab,” which was carried out in secret.

He said Lisa Miller's main reason for intervening is to protect Samantha Miller's estate and all her rightful heirs.

He added: “There is no reason to rush the process and shroud it in secrecy. This was a money theft from minute one.'

Meehan has taken advantage of the fact that the marriage was not registered until May 1 and that the license was signed by Hutchinson's aunt and uncle while he remained in hospital.

His aunt said she had known the husband and wife for 36 years: Hutchinson was 36, but Miller was only 34 when she died.

The uncle and aunt also falsely said that the couple lived together after their marriage.

Hutchinson said he was saddened by the turn of events and had offered his mother-in-law half the money.

His attorneys called the marriage certificate questions “a distraction” and called Lisa Miller's motion to intervene “morally questionable” and “legally without merit.”

Komoroski's car is seen on its side after crashing into Miller and Hutchinson's golf cart

The mangled golf cart that Komoroski crashed into

Hutchinson and Miller are seen before their wedding in South Carolina

He insisted she was not cut out.

“Aric has been more than generous to Lisa Miller – offering her half the money – and she has repaid him by threatening to frivolously question the validity of his marriage to Sam,” Hutchinson's lawyer said. , Patrick Wooten.

“One would hope that Mrs. Miller would have too much respect for her own daughter for that.”

He has offered his mother-in-law half of the damages in the wrongful death lawsuit on the condition that she stops fighting legal disputes over their marriage.

“Aric made this settlement offer not because Lisa Miller had a valid legal claim – she does not – but rather because he is a generous person and would naturally prefer to avoid painful, public lawsuits over the validity of his marriage to Sam. .'