The mother of a drunk driver who killed a South Carolina bride on her wedding night was involved in a grisly similar accident a decade ago that killed a New Jersey firefighter.
Traci Komoroski, 62, the mother of Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, was in a 2013 wreck that resulted in the death of Forest Fire Service Warden Jeffrey Scheuerer.
Scheuerer was fighting a fire in Clinton Township, New Jersey, when Traci hit him as he was partially blocked by smoke and a fire engine – despite emergency lights flashing.
The crash was determined to be a ‘tragic accident’ and no charges were brought against Traci, an elementary school paraprofessional.
Scheuerer was a six-year veteran of the fire department and a 21-year veteran of the Readington Township Volunteer Fire Company.
The details of Traci’s crash made headlines again after Komoroski was involved in a wreck in April that killed Samantha Miller as she left her wedding reception in South Carolina.
Traci Komoroski, 62, the mother of Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, was involved in a 2013 crash that resulted in the death of Forest Fire Service Warden Jeffrey Scheuerer
Scheuerer was fighting a fire in Clinton Township, New Jersey, when Traci hit him as he was partially blocked by smoke and a fire engine – despite flashing emergency lights
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns ruled that his untimely death was attributed in part to a sudden change in wind direction, which meant thick smoke from a controlled wildfire site obscured the fire engine and emergency lights.
Scheuerer had been using a fire hose on Lebanon-Stanton Road when he was narrowly missed by one driver, but then hit by Traci’s 2010 Jeep Liberty SUV.
The smoke was so heavy that Traci couldn’t have seen the fire truck “until the last second,” and as she swerved to avoid the fire truck, she eventually hit Scheuerer, officials said at the time.
Scheuerer had been using a fire hose on Lebanon-Stanton Road when he was narrowly missed by one driver but then hit by Traci’s 2010 Jeep Liberty SUV. Pictured is a roadside memorial erected to the fallen firefighter
The Readington Volunteer Fire Company and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service erected a bronze statue to commemorate the fallen firefighter
No other injuries were reported and no tickets were issued to the drivers involved.
‘This was a tragic accident and our deepest sympathy goes out to Mr. Scheuerer’s family, the Readington Volunteer Fire Company; as well as Mr. Scheuerer’s colleagues at the New Jersey Forest Fire Department,” the prosecutor’s office said at the time.
Scheuerer’s brother, David, shared his frustration with the New York Post that Traci was not charged after the incident, despite Clinton Township police assuring him that appropriate action would be taken. No charges were ever filed.
“When I went to the Clinton Township Police Department to pick up Jeff’s personal belongings, they told me not to worry about Traci, she would be dealt with and appropriate action would follow…[but there’s been] no actions except silence,” he said.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, is pictured in a mugshot following last month’s fatal accident in which she killed a bride on her wedding night
Komoroski had a blood alcohol level three times the legal driving limit when she drove a Toyota Camry into newlyweds Samantha Miller, 34, and Aric Hutchinson, 36
Miller was killed in the wreckage and Hutchinson was taken to hospital with serious injuries
Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson had just left their wedding in Folly Beach, South Carolina, when they were hit by a car
In the case of Traci’s daughter, Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, was arrested on April 28 after driving a golf cart with Samantha Miller and husband Aric Hutchinson in the back shortly after their wedding reception in Folly Beach, South Carolina.
Miller, 28, died at the scene, while Hutchinson, 34, and two others suffered serious injuries.
It was later discovered that Jamie was driving with a blood alcohol content of more than three times the legal limit, police said.
Authorities also said she was traveling more than twice the speed limit when she crashed into the back of a golf cart as it left the party.
Jamie Lee Komoroski is currently being held without bail in the Charleston County Jail and faces multiple charges.
Her attorneys filed a motion last week saying she poses no flight risk or danger to the community while advocating for her release on bail.
Miller died and Hutchinson was seriously injured when their golf cart (pictured) rolled multiple times and was thrown 100 yards by Komoroski’s Toyota Camry
Hutchinson was confined to a wheelchair after suffering two broken legs, multiple facial fractures and a concussion. He is seen here at a beachside memorial to his late bride
The bail request included conditions for her release, including Jamie Lee Komoroski attending an inpatient rehab program, remaining under the supervision of her mother, and not having access to a vehicle or alcohol.
“Jamie Lee Komoroski’s personal characteristics, coupled with her strong family support and community ties, strongly argue in favor of her release,” the motion said.
It also mentioned how she struggled for years with alcohol dependence, depression and anxiety.
“Jamie, with the support of her family, is committed and willing to undergo intensive, inpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment immediately upon release,” the motion said.
Hutchinson recently spoke at a beach memorial to Miller and said: ‘She would have loved it. This is Sam, she’s a beach girl through and through.
“We walk here almost every morning, and this is definitely her farewell. She sure is smiling up there.”
He also filed a civil lawsuit against Jamie Lee Komoroski and the bars that served her.