On April 28, 2023, Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller exchanged vows in a joyous ceremony on the Folly Beach shore, South Carolina, attended by a hundred friends and family. The celebration took a tragic turn as the newlyweds left their nighttime wedding reception just after 10 p.m. in a golf cart with two of the groom’s family members.
Just then, a rented Toyota Camry, driven by 26-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, reportedly crashed into the rear of the low-speed vehicle on East Ashley Avenue. The collision, reported as happening at around 65 mph in a 25 mph zone, caused the golf cart to be thrown over 100 yards and roll several times.The consequences were devastating—it resulted in the immediate death of the 34-year-old bride and caused severe injuries to the groom. Aric, originally from Utah, underwent one of two reconstruction surgeries and suffered numerous broken bones and multiple fractures, along with a brain injury, indicating a challenging and lengthy recovery ahead.
Komoroski was charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of felony driving under the influence. The judge ordered her potential release from jail on bond in March 2024 if not brought to trial by then.
According to Annette, the couple had been together since early 2019, embarking on adventures, moving across the country, and expanding their family.Post-accident, Aric, while physically recovering at home, faced the unimaginable task of organizing his wife’s funeral. In the aftermath, he filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Jamie Lee, citing her intoxication level at 0.261—over three times the legal limit—according to a police report. The lawsuit extended to several bars, accusing them of selling alcohol to the driver despite her noticeable intoxication.
The couple, who met three years before their marriage, had shared an apartment on James Island. Lisa Miller, the bride’s mother, initially described Aric as the “male version” of her daughter. Yet it wasn’t long before things went awry between the groom and his mother-in-law, adding emotional strain to an already devastating situation.Months after the tragic incident on Folly Beach, a legal battle has ensued between the groom and the deceased bride’s mother. Aric, serving as the personal representative of Samantha’s estate, is reportedly nearing a settlement with local bars accused of over-serving the driver, Jamie Lee.
The rift between Aric and Lisa has escalated, with the latter contesting the validity of her daughter’s marriage and seeking to remove the former as the personal representative. Aric’s attorneys had opposed Lisa’s intervention, labeling it “morally questionable” and asserting it aimed to disrupt the financial settlement.
Amidst these conflicts, the focus has shifted to legal maneuvers, including a motion to intervene by Lisa’s attorney, Jerry Meehan. At the core of Lisa’s challenge is an affidavit supporting the marriage license, which Jerry alleges to be fraudulent. He has sought to remove Aric as the personal representative, citing potential fraud and conflicts of interest.
Aric’s attorneys have responded, deeming Jerry’s motion “cryptic” and questioning the lack of detailed arguments. The affidavit, signed by Aric’s aunt, has become a point of contention, with discrepancies in details raising questions about its authenticity and the rush to file it.
While Aric’s attorneys have acknowledged the affidavit’s flaws, they have argued that cohabitation is irrelevant under South Carolina’s marriage laws. Lisa’s attorney has withdrawn, then refiled the motion to intervene, coinciding with a supposed settlement approval hearing in the wrongful death lawsuit.Lisa expressing concerns about the pace at which Aric’s family capitalized on the tragedy. Despite a probate judge recognizing the validity of Aric and Samantha’s marriage, a separate legal battle emerged, initially involving discussions of co-counseling in the wrongful death lawsuit.
However, conflicting accounts have come to light, and Aric’s attorneys filed the lawsuit without further discussion. Aric’s offer to settle with Lisa has been declined, and legal back-and-forth continues, marked by motions to intervene being filed, withdrawn, and re-filed by Lisa’s attorney.Aric’s attorneys seek court approval for settlements with local establishments and Progressive, the deceased’s auto insurance company. However, the ongoing legal complexities leave the resolution of the tragic incident and its aftermath uncertain, with conflicting accounts, disputes over legal actions, and undisclosed settlement offers.
Annette Hutchinson, Aric’s mom and Samantha’s mother-in-law, created a GoFundMe account in May to arrange her daughter-in-law’s funeral and support her son while he recovered from his injuries. Besides shedding light on her son’s physical trauma, the mother also talked about his emotional setback.
“I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows. Aric has lost the love of his life,” wrote Annette.
EXCLUSIVE: “The last thing I remember her saying is she wanted the night to never end.”
Aric Hutchinson, the South Carolina groom whose bride was killed by an alleged drunk driver on their wedding night, speaks out on the deadly crash. https://t.co/K2WMA5Tgb4 pic.twitter.com/ZZsO5V8TUx
— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 19, 2023
In an update on the fundraising page, Annette revealed how her son-in-law and grandson were also injured in the accident that turned Aric and Samantha’s lives topsy-turvy. According to Annette, the couple had been together since early 2019, embarking on adventures, moving across the country, and expanding their family.
Their engagement in June 2021 marked the beginning of planning their dream wedding, which became their last beautiful memory together. She described her late daughter-in-law as a vibrant and compassionate soul who loved everyone and made friends wherever she went.
“Aric and Sam’s wedding was their last beautiful memory together. We will always cherish their love story and will live the rest of our lives honoring Sam,” expressed Annette.