A bride was tragically killed and her husband injured shortly after leaving their wedding reception.
Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson were celebrating what should have been the happiest day of their lives.
After their legal marriage, the newlyweds celebrated with family and friends at their wedding reception.
However, after departing in a golf cart adorned with a ‘Just Married’ sign, tragedy struck.
The news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from people around the globe.
One person commented, “My heart aches hearing this story. Sending you all much love and strength during this heartbreaking time.”
Another person wrote, “Aric—our hearts are broken for you.”
A third person added, “I can’t believe you’re gone, Sam.”
Reports indicate that Miller and Hutchinson were rear-ended by 25-year-old Jamie Komoroski, who is alleged to have been driving under the influence.
Komoroski, who was driving a rented Toyota Camry, was reportedly traveling at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone and was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
The crash occurred at Folly Beach, South Carolina, USA.
The couple was thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times before coming to a stop.
Miller died instantly from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.
Hutchinson, who sustained a brain injury and multiple broken bones, underwent two reconstructive surgeries and remained in critical condition following the accident.
His brother-in-law, Ben Garrett, and nephew, Brogan, were also in the cart hit by Komoroski and sustained injuries.
Komoroski, who was alone in the car, was charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm or death.
Annette Hutchinson’s GoFundMe page has successfully raised more than $743,000 to help cover Miller’s burial expenses and Hutchinson’s medical costs.
In a heartfelt message, Hutchinson’s mother shares: “Five hours after Sam placed it on Aric’s finger and they exchanged their vows, I received Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital.”
“Aric has lost the love of his life.”
Since the tragedy, the couple’s last photos—capturing them laughing and walking through a sparkler tunnel as they departed their wedding ceremony—have been widely shared on social media.
Hutchinson has since addressed the situation in a recent interview with Good Morning America.
He discussed the events of that fateful day, his recovery journey, and how he is coping with the profound loss.
Reflecting on the experience, he remarked: “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Going from an all-time high to an all-time low in one night—it’s really tough to process.”
He reminisced about his late wife with warmth, saying: “She was so happy. Planning a wedding is incredibly stressful, as most people know, but she had this unusual sense of calm that night.”
Aric recalled Samantha’s final words, saying: “The last thing I remember her saying was that she wanted the night to never end.”
The Associated Press has confirmed that Hutchinson will receive nearly $1 million in a partial settlement related to the crash.
The Post and Courier reports that Hutchinson will receive around $863,300 from several sources, including Folly Beach establishments The Drop-In Bar & Deli, The Crab Shack, and Snapper Jacks; Progressive auto insurance; and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
These businesses are accused of serving alcohol to the driver, while Enterprise is alleged to have rented her the vehicle.
The total settlements amount to $1.3 million; however, the final amount Hutchinson will receive will be lower after deducting attorney and legal fees.
Komoroski, who is currently released on bond, is facing felony charges including DUI resulting in death, reckless homicide, and two counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury.
Her case is still making its way through the court system.
The grieving groom is now embroiled in a legal dispute with his mother-in-law over her estate, as she challenges the legitimacy of their marriage.
Samantha’s mother, Lisa Miller, initially held Hutchinson in high regard, viewing him almost like a son.
However, she is now trying to remove him as the executor of Samantha’s estate, raising concerns about ‘potential fraud’ and questioning the legality of the marriage.
At the heart of the dispute is a potentially significant legal settlement from the wrongful death lawsuit.
Lisa Miller’s legal challenge involves filing, withdrawing, and then refiling a motion to intervene in the case.
She told The Post and Courier that she feels Hutchinson is sidelining her in the settlement process, which she believes contradicts her daughter’s wishes.
“Aric and I agreed multiple times that Sam would want us to handle everything together, since we are the two most important people in her life,” she stated.
“I never intended to challenge the validity of the marriage or dishonor Sam. But I feel like Aric is dishonoring my daughter by not respecting her wishes.”
Miller’s attorney, Jerry Meehan, has accused Hutchinson of orchestrating a ‘money grab’ and argues that Lisa Miller’s main goal is to protect Samantha’s estate and ensure that all rightful heirs are considered.
The validity of the marriage is being questioned because it was registered on May 1, three days after the wedding, with the license signed by Hutchinson’s aunt and uncle.
There were also reported discrepancies in the license, including the aunt and uncle claiming to have known both individuals for 36 years, despite Miller being only 34.
Aric Hutchinson has expressed disappointment over the dispute, mentioning that he had offered his mother-in-law half of the settlement.
His lawyers have dismissed the questions about the marriage certificate as irrelevant, labeling Lisa Miller’s motion to intervene as ‘morally questionable’ and ‘legally baseless.’
Hutchinson’s attorney, Patrick Wooten, stated: “Aric has been more than generous with Lisa Miller, offering her half of the money, and she has responded by threatening to bring a frivolous challenge to the validity of his marriage to Sam. One would hope that Ms. Miller would have too much respect for her own daughter to engage in such actions.”
Hutchinson has proposed that Lisa Miller receive half of any settlement from the wrongful death lawsuit, on the condition that she agrees to cease any legal efforts challenging the validity of their marriage.
Wooten explained, “Aric has made this settlement offer not because Lisa Miller has a legitimate legal claim—she does not—but because he is a generous person who would prefer to avoid the distress and public scrutiny of a prolonged legal battle over the validity of his marriage to Sam.”
