Summary: Samantha Miller, 34, was killed on April 28, 2023, after a drunk driver rear-ended the golf cart carrying her and husband Aric Hutchinson in Folly Beach. A final wrongful-death settlement of $160,000 was approved on Dec. 9; Hutchinson will receive about $104,586.67 after fees. The driver, Jamie Lee Komoroski, had a BAC of 0.261% and was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony counts. Hutchinson survived with severe injuries and multiple surgeries.
Groom Accepts $160K Wrongful-Death Settlement After Bride Killed by Drunk Driver on Wedding Night
GoFundMeAric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller
The groom of Samantha Miller has accepted a final wrongful-death settlement after Miller, 34, was killed when an intoxicated driver rear-ended the golf cart carrying the newlyweds in Folly Beach, South Carolina, on April 28, 2023. The crash left Samantha dead at the scene and her husband, Aric Hutchinson, with severe injuries.
Settlement Details
On Dec. 9 a court approved a final settlement in the wrongful-death suit Hutchinson filed against driver Jamie Lee Komoroski and several South Carolina bars. Komoroski’s auto insurer will pay $160,000. After attorney fees and related costs, Hutchinson is scheduled to receive $104,586.67. Prior settlements related to the case have totaled more than $863,000.
Folly Beach PoliceThe car crash
Crash and Investigation
According to investigators, Komoroski — then 25 — was driving a rental car at about 65 mph when she struck the golf cart around 10 p.m. Data from the vehicle indicated she was traveling at more than twice the posted speed limit and applied the brakes only briefly before impact. A toxicology report from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division found Komoroski’s blood-alcohol concentration to be 0.261%, more than three times the legal limit.
Injuries, Fatality and Aftermath
Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal reported that Samantha Miller died at the scene from blunt-force injuries. Hutchinson suffered multiple fractures, including breaks to both legs and several facial bones, and required multiple surgeries. A GoFundMe created by Hutchinson’s mother reported that two other family members were also injured when the vehicle was reportedly thrown more than 100 yards and rolled several times.
Charleston County Sheriff's Office via APMugshot of Jamie Lee Komoroski
Criminal Case and Sentencing
In December 2024, Komoroski pleaded guilty to felony charges, including DUI causing death, two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury, and reckless homicide. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Public Reaction
Hutchinson spoke publicly about the loss in May 2023 on Good Morning America, describing the surreal shock of learning his wife died hours after their wedding. Recalling the moment he was told, he said,
"That night going on an all-time high to an all-time low. It's pretty rough to comprehend."
This settlement resolves the civil claims tied to the crash; in exchange for the payment, Komoroski is released from further civil liability in the matter. The case remains a tragic reminder of the deadly consequences of drunk and reckless driving.
