FOLLY BEACH, S.C. — A groom has spoken for the first time after his bride was killed and he was seriously hurt in a crash on their wedding night.
WCIV in Charleston reports Aric Hutchinson was on a motorized cart with his bride, Samantha Miller Hutchinson, in Folly Beach on April 28. The pair was leaving their wedding reception when they were hit by a driver who investigators believe was under the influence.
Friends and family held a celebration of life for Miller, who is from Charlotte. Aric was also there on his first visit to the beach since the crash. He is in a wheelchair as he recovers from multiple broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. People paddled out into the water to honor Samantha’s life by throwing flowers into the ocean with “Sam” written on the stems.
“She would’ve loved it. This is Sam. I mean, she’s a beach girl, through and through,” Aric said. “We do walk here almost every morning, and this is her send off for sure. She’s up there smiling for sure.”
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Groom home from hospital after bride killed in wedding night crash in SC ]
“I’m feeling pretty good. My body’s getting back to where I can manage, I guess,” Aric said. “It’s just as good as I can feel with the situation.”
Two other people in the golf cart were also hurt.
Hutchinson said the people in the Folly Beach area have donated food during his recovery.
“It’s a little overwhelming; but it’s, I mean, they’re sincere, genuine, good-hearted people that are just reaching out that felt a reason to, or somehow they were touched by Sam, Hutchinson said. “It just means the world. She left that impact.”
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Police said Jamie Komoroski was driving the car that hit the motorized cart. She is charged with three counts of felony DUI and one count of reckless homicide. Investigators said Komoroski was driving 65 miles per hour when she hit them.
According to a toxicology report, Komoroski had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
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