A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in South Carolina, where a young woman who had just gotten married lost her life in a devastating crash caused by a drunk driver. Jamie Lee Komoroski, 27, was sentenced on Monday to 25 years in prison for her role in the crash that killed Samantha Miller and left Miller’s husband, Aric Hutchinson, seriously injured.
The crash happened on April 28, 2023, on Folly Beach, a popular seaside town near Charleston. Samantha and Aric were riding in a golf cart after their wedding when Komoroski, speeding down a narrow road at 65 mph—on a street where the speed limit was just 25 mph—slammed into them. Police later discovered that Komoroski’s blood-alcohol level was 0.26%, over three times the legal limit.
Samantha, 34, died still wearing her wedding dress. Aric, her groom, was left with a traumatic brain injury and multiple broken bones. The impact of the crash was so severe that the golf cart was thrown nearly 100 yards.
In court, Aric fought back tears as he described their final moments together. “On the golf cart, she told me she didn’t want the night to end,” he shared. “I kissed her on the forehead, and the next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital.”
During her sentencing at the Charleston County courthouse, Komoroski pleaded guilty to several charges, including reckless homicide and felony DUI. Judge Deadra Jefferson handed her a 25-year sentence for felony DUI causing death, along with other sentences for the injuries she caused. All sentences will run at the same time.
Komoroski tearfully expressed her remorse in court. “I’m devastated, deeply ashamed, and sorry for what I did,” she said. “I wish I could go back and undo this terrible tragedy. But I can’t. I will live the rest of my life with intense regret.”
She also spoke about her struggles with alcohol and promised to dedicate her life to helping others avoid the same mistakes. “I will work in Samantha’s memory, and I pray for God to comfort her family and loved ones.”
Family and friends from both sides spoke during the emotional hearing. Samantha’s loved ones demanded justice, with her father, Brad Warner, sharing his heartbreak and anger. “You have ruined so many lives,” he told Komoroski. “The rest of my life, I’m going to hate you.”
Aric, still grappling with the crash’s aftermath, admitted that the pain of losing Samantha is unbearable. “I wish I had died that night,” he said. “I think about it every single day.”
Komoroski’s family asked for leniency, describing her as a young woman who made a terrible mistake but could still turn her life around. The judge ultimately decided on the maximum sentence allowed.
Following the crash, Aric won $863,000 in settlements from the three bars that served Komoroski, along with her insurance company and the car rental firm.
The tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving, shattering the lives of many in a single moment of recklessness. Samantha’s family and friends continue to grieve the loss of a bright, beautiful woman whose life ended far too soon.