Groom whose bride was killed by a drunk driver, 25, on their wedding night is seen for the first time
The husband of a newlywed bride who was killed by a drunk driver was seen for the first time since the crash at a memorial on the beach where they married just over two weeks ago.
Aric Hutchinson and his wife Samantha, 36, had celebrated their nuptials shortly before coming from behind on April 28 in Folly Beach, South Carolina.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, reportedly crashed her car into the golf cart carrying the bride and groom, throwing it 100 yards and flipping over several times, killing Hutchinson and seriously injuring her new husband.
“We walk here almost every morning, and this is definitely her farewell. She sure is smiling up there.”
Newlyweds Miller and Hutchinson were pictured beaming as they celebrated their nuptials at Folly Beach on April 28
Pictured: Aric with a bandaged leg over the weekend with family and friends as they celebrate the life of his late wife
Several of those celebrating to collect her life also had a memorial surfer paddling the beach
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Miller died at the scene of blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. The couple is pictured together here
Aric continued, “I feel pretty good. My body returns to where I can handle it.
“It’s kind of overwhelming, they’re genuine, sincere, kind-hearted people who just reached out and felt a reason to do so, or somehow they were touched by Sam.
‘It just means the world. She left that impression.’
Heartbreaking photos showed the happy couple just before disaster struck, beaming as they were waved goodbye by their star-studded guests.
Driving a rented Toyota Camry, Komoroski was traveling at 105 km/h in a 40 km/h zone, along a dimly lit residential street when the fatal accident occurred.
Komoroski’s blood alcohol level at the time of the incident was 0.261 at the time of the incident.
Komoroski reportedly told responding officers in the aftermath of the crash, “Suddenly something hit me. I didn’t do anything wrong.’
Komoroski allegedly admitted to drinking two drinks an hour before the smash: a beer and a tequila pineapple cocktail, the New York Post reported.
Aric Hutchinson at the memorial for his wife, Sam, at Folly Beach in South Carolina on Saturday
Aric had to undergo reconstructive surgery before finally being released earlier this week
Hutchinson (right) was left with “two broken legs, one of which required surgery
The slow-moving vehicle that Samantha and Aric rode in. The broken seat and shattered wheel axles give an idea of the force of the fatal blow
Jamie Lee Komoroski’s wrecked sedan, which ABC4 reported had pieces of Samantha Hutchinson’s wedding dress embedded in the bumper
The couple had married just before the crash on Folly Beach in South Carolina
Jamie Komoroski, 25, has been charged with three counts of DUI resulting in grievous bodily harm or death and one count of reckless manslaughter
Aric suffered multiple injuries, including two broken legs, and was released from hospital last week to recuperate at home.
Aric’s mother Annette previously said: ‘I was given 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.
“We miss Sam more than anything, she was everything to my son and changed him for the better.”
“She could light up a room with her presence and had an ease about her. They shared many hopes and dreams for their future, including children and building a house.’
Last week, Samantha Lisa Miller’s mom told Fox News, “It wasn’t an accident, this person chose to drink, get behind the wheel and plow my daughter over. It’s pointless.
“This was a conscious choice made by a young lady to get behind the wheel.”
Sergeant Zac Halpern of the Folly Beach Police Department reported that he Komoroski asked how drunk she was on a scale of one to ten, muttering that she was an eight before demanding a lawyer.
OOfficers responding to the scene attempted to administer a sobriety test, but she refused, screaming for her boyfriend.
Police noted that she appeared to be trying to hide her eyes from them.
Komoroski was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was charged with three counts of DUI resulting in grievous bodily harm or death and one count of reckless homicide.
Those who gathered on the South Carolina beach also left red flowers in memory of Samantha
Samantha and Aric are pictured on Folly Beach hours before the crash that would kill the bride and seriously injure her husband
The couple was celebrating their marriage when the incident happened
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.
a GoFundMe page for the funeral and medical expenses has now reached more than $720,000.