A wedding day celebration in South Carolina turned into a disaster when an inebriated driver collided with a golf cart carrying a newlywed couple, resulting in the bride’s death and leaving the groom and other passengers with severe injuries.
On Friday evening, Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson, 34, and her husband, Aric Hutchinson, had just departed their wedding reception in Folly Beach on a golf cart when 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, who was allegedly intoxicated, rear-ended the vehicle at high speed. Samantha did not survive the impact,
She had been captured in a photograph moments before the crash, beaming with happiness.
A GoFundMe page created by Aric’s mother revealed that the golf cart, driven by Aric’s relatives Ben Garrett and Brogan Garrett, was thrown more than 100 yards and rolled multiple times due to the force of the collision. Komoroski was driving at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone when she struck the golf cart from behind.
Aric Hutchinson suffered a brain injury, several fractures, and significant facial bruising. He remains in critical condition and has undergone two reconstructive surgeries. Ben Garrett is also reported to be in serious condition.
Police arrested Komoroski at the scene and charged her with DUI resulting in death and reckless homicide. While awaiting the results of her blood test, investigators confirmed that she was driving at 65 mph when the crash occurred.
Authorities stated that Komoroski refused to take a sobriety test and was uncooperative and intoxicated at the scene.
She faces three counts of felony DUI causing significant bodily injury or death and one count of reckless homicide. She was placed on suicide watch after telling a police officer she wanted to take her own life.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $500,000 for Samantha Hutchinson’s funeral and Aric Hutchinson’s medical expenses.