Family of South Carolina bride killed on wedding night receives $1.3 million in compensation

A South Carolina According to media reports, a judge has approved a partial settlement of $1.3 million in the case of a bride who was allegedly killed by a drunk driver just hours after her wedding.

Jamie Lee Komoroski, 26, allegedly drove her rental car into a golf cart carrying the victim, Samantha Miller, 34, and her new husband Aric Hutchinson, near Charleston, South Carolina, on April 28, 2023.

Miller was killed in the collision and Hutchinson was seriously injured.

Two other people who were in the car with Miller and Hutchinson were also injured in the tragic accident.

Mother of South Carolina bride killed in wedding accident hits accused drunk driver

Composite image showing Jamie Komoroski (left) before her arrest. She is accused of driving her Toyota Camry while drunk and crashing into a golf cart carrying newlyweds Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller (right), killing the bride on her wedding night and seriously injuring three other people, including the groom. The aftermath of the accident can be seen in the background. (Folly Beach Public Safety, Jamie Komoroski/Instagram, SC 9th Judicial District)

The proceeds from the settlement will benefit Miller’s estate and the other victims, WCSC reported.

The bars where Komoroski was served before the accident, as well as the car rental company she used, must pay the seven-figure compensation.

Hutchinson and his attorney, Danny Dalton, were in court Tuesday to sign the settlement, which will give the parties $863,000 after fees, according to WCSC.

Dalton said the amount was lower than expected because of an ongoing inheritance dispute between Hutchinson and Lisa Miller, the murdered bride’s mother, who questions the legality of the marriage between the two.

SOUTH CAROLINA GROOM PLANS BRIDE’S FUNERAL AFTER TRAGIC ACCIDENT ON WEDDING DAY

Benjamin Garrett in his hospital bed next to groom Aric Hutchinson. Both men were seriously injured and bride Samantha Miller died when an accused drunk driver crashed into their golf cart. (GoFundMe)

She argued with Hutchinson’s camp over the amount of compensation she would receive from the settlements and asked the court to replace Hutchinson as representative of the estate.

“The deceased, Ms. Samantha Miller, was killed in a car accident,” Dalton said, according to FOX Carolina. “Her husband, Mr. Aric Hutchinson, is here with us. He is the proper personal representative of the estate.”

Komoroski, who was allegedly driving 65 miles per hour in a 25-mph zone, was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol causing death, vehicular manslaughter and two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily harm.

She was released on bail in March, but her criminal case is still pending.

Komoroski is currently under house arrest awaiting the continuation of her case.

South Carolina woman accused of killing her bride in drunk driving crash is released from prison less than a year later

Jame Lee Komoroski is accused of killing the bride Sam Miller and seriously injuring the groom Aric Hutchinson on the couple’s wedding night. (Charleston County Sheriff’s Office/ GoFundMe)

Other defendants, including the restaurant where Komoroski was employed at the time of the incident, have not yet reached a settlement with the plaintiffs.

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The force of the impact threw the doomed golf cart 30 meters and it rolled over several times before coming to a stop.

If convicted, Komoroski faces a prison sentence of one year at worst and 25 years at worst.