A newlywed bride has been killed and the groom left in critical condition after they were hit by a speeding drunk driver as they were leaving their wedding reception in a golf cart.
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.
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.
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
Aric has been left in critical condition, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his mother, Annette Hutchinson.
He has undergone reconstruction surgery and is about to undergo another, as well as numerous broken bones and brain injuries.
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 more than $150,000, 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 Charleston County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Sam died at the scene of blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.
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’
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 vehicle 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.