Groom left fighting for life after golf cart crash caused by drunk driver that killed his wife on their wedding day has started the ‘unimaginable’ task of planning her funeral while recovering at home, his family reveal
- The crash killed the bride instantly while the groom was left in critical condition
- The groom’s family said he is now planning the funeral while recovering at home
A newlywed groom, whose wife was left killed on their wedding day when a speeding drunk driver hit their golf cart, has started planning her funeral while he still recovers from the crash at home.
Just moments after saying ‘I do’, Samantha Miller, 34, and Aric Hutchinson, 36, were rear-ended by Jamie Komoroski, 25, at the wedding reception at Folly Beach, South Carolina, last month.
The newlyweds and two other occupants were in the buggy when it was hit, rolling several times over 100 yards.
The bride was killed instantly. The groom was left in critical condition and two others were taken to hospital.
Now, Hutchinson has been left with the ‘unimaginable’ task of planning his wife’s funeral while he continues to recover at home, his family revealed in their latest update.
Newlyweds Miller and Hutchinson were pictured beaming as they celebrated their wedding at Folly Beach on April 28
Hutchinson (right) was left with ‘two broken legs, one which had to be surgically repaired
Jamie Komoroski, 25, has been charged with three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm or death and one count of reckless homicide
In their latest update, the family said they are ‘missing Sam more than anything’.
Hutchinson’s mom, Annette, said 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,’ Annette added.
The update said Hutchinson has been left with ‘two broken legs, one which had to be surgically repaired. Broken bones in his face which also had to be surgically repaired. Broken vertebraes in his back, brain bleeds, and numerous cuts with stitches’.
Hutchinson is now recovering at home as he undertakes the ‘unimaginable’ task of planning his wife’s funeral with Miller’s family.
The GoFundMe page for the ‘burial and medical costs’ has since reached over $700,000.
The family also provided an update on Hutchinson’s brother-in-law Ben Garrett and nephew Brogan, who had also been in the vehicle when it was hit.
Garret is still recovering in the burn unit after undergoing surgery to clean out and redress his severe road rash and open wounds, the family said. They added that plastic surgeon had addressed his facial stitches and some on his hands.
‘He will need another skin graft back home in Utah at some point. He needs to be able to put weight on his legs, and his wounds to start healing before he can return home.’
Folly Beach Police Department confirmed that the incident took place at around 10pm, on the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue
The ‘sweet’ newlyweds and two other occupants of the buggy were inside the vehicle when it rolled several times over 100 yards, killing the bride instantly
Hutchinson’s mom, Annette, said Miller was ‘everything to my son and changed him for the better’
Charleston County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Miller died on scene from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. The couple are pictured together
The family said Hutchinson’s nephew Brogan only suffered minor injuries.
‘We truly believe a guardian angel was with him that night. Our hope is that with love and support he can get through the trauma of having been involved in this horrific accident at 17.
‘All three are being incredibly strong despite the pain they are suffering,’ they said on the GoFundMe page.
The tragic incident came after newlyweds Miller and Hutchinson were pictured beaming as they celebrated their wedding at Folly Beach on April 28.
They had been heading to their rented Airbnb, escorted by Garrett and nephew Brogan, when the fatal crash occurred.
Komoroski’s rented Toyota Camry then allegedly slammed into the golf cart, rolling the low-speed vehicle several times.
The drunk driver was allegedly traveling at 65mph in a 25mph zone, Folly Beach Police said.
Miller was pronounced dead on the scene, while Hutchinson was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
Miller and Hutchinson were being escorted by his brother-in-law Ben Garrett and nephew Brogan when they were hit by Komoroski
Aric has had one reconstruction surgery and is set to have another, as well as suffering numerous broken bones and a brain injury
Family confirmed that nephew Brogen was released on Sunday, and is recovering despite being ‘banged up and sore’
Police arrived to find a large crash scene with a golf cart on its side with victims laying among the wreckage.
Komoroski was the sole occupant of the vehicle when she rear-ended the cart, police said. She has since been charged with three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm or death and one count of reckless homicide.
The 25-year-old remains in custody at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and is set to appear in court in connection with the incident in June.
She could face up to 25 years in prison for the death of the bride, as well of a fine of up to $25,100, and an additional 15 years and $10,100 for the serious injury caused to the men in the buggy.
For the reckless homicide she could be handed a sentence of 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $5,000 – as well as having her license revoked for five years on her release.
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