Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller had just begun their new life as husband and wife. The wedding was magical, the kind you dream about. Sparklers lit their path as they left the reception, ready to cherish their first night as newlyweds. But just blocks away from their destination, joy turned into heartbreak in the blink of an eye.
The couple was riding in a low-speed vehicle (LSV), lovingly decorated for the occasion. Aric’s relatives, Benjamin and Brogan Garrett, drove the cart along Folly Beach, South Carolina. What should have been a quiet, happy ride home became a scene of devastation.
A rented Toyota, driven by 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, slammed into the back of the LSV at an alarming 65 mph in a 25 mph zone. The crash was catastrophic. Investigators revealed Komoroski had barely touched her brakes.
Samantha, radiant in her wedding gown just hours earlier, died at the scene from blunt force injuries. Aric, now a grieving husband, was left fighting for his life with broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. Benjamin Garrett was also critically injured, while Brogan was hospitalized and later released.
Komoroski, allegedly under the influence during the crash, faces severe charges: reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing death. Each DUI charge carries up to 25 years in prison. Authorities confirmed the LSV met all legal requirements, including proper lighting for nighttime driving.
Samantha’s family was shattered. Her mother expressed her anguish through tears: “She literally ran into my daughter going 65 miles an hour. Sammie and Aric were sitting in the back of the cart, and she just whammed my child.”
Her sister, Mandi Jenkins, recalled the chilling moment she learned of the crash: “We were on the balcony in our pajamas, and we heard the sirens. They just kept coming. When my sister didn’t reply to my texts, we drove to the scene. What we saw… it was every family’s worst nightmare.”
Komoroski refused to provide a breath sample at the police station, forcing authorities to issue a warrant for her bloodwork. The results are pending, but the devastating consequences of her actions are already painfully clear.
Rallying for Hope and Healing
In the wake of this unimaginable loss, Samantha and Aric’s loved ones turned to their communities for support. Aric’s mother, Annette Hutchinson, started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical bills and funeral costs.
“Aric has already undergone one of two reconstruction surgeries,” she wrote. “He has numerous broken bones and a brain injury. Worst of all, he has lost the love of his life.”
The response was overwhelming. The campaign raised nearly $600,000, far exceeding its $100,000 goal.
Samantha’s sister Mandi also started a fundraiser to honor her memory, raising $37,000 against an initial $10,000 target. “Samantha was fearless, and that’s exactly how she lived her last day,” Mandi wrote. “She was so excited to start her life with Aric. You could feel their love—it was contagious.”
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of driving under the influence. One careless choice shattered countless lives.
A Heartbreaking Farewell
Samantha’s life was just beginning—a future brimming with love, laughter, and possibilities. Now, her story stands as a painful example of how fleeting life can be and how important it is to make responsible choices.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Samantha’s family, friends, and all who loved her. Share this story to spread awareness about the deadly consequences of drunk driving. Together, we can help prevent more tragedies like this.
Rest in peace, Samantha.
