Joe Harker
A woman who killed a bride on her wedding day by drink driving spoke out in court after being sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Jamie Lee Komoroski issued a guilty plea to reckless vehicular homicide, felony DUI causing death and two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury.
On 28 April, 2023, Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller got married in Folly Beach, South Carolina, but moments after they left the wedding celebrations on a golf cart, they were struck by a car driven by Komoroski.
Miller was killed in the crash, while Hutchinson suffered serious injuries and their family members Benjamin and Brogan Garrett were also injured.
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The drink driver was sentenced to 25 years in prison for causing Samantha's death, 15 years for the injuries inflicted upon Hutchinson and 10 years for reckless homicide, but they will run concurrently so she will be behind bars for 25 years.
Komoroski broke down in court after Hutchinson spoke about his wife's final words and the last memory he had of her.
Aric told the court that Samantha said 'she didn't want the night to end' and then he kissed her on the forehead, the next thing he remembers after that is waking up in the hospital.
He said he woke up to see his mother still wearing the same dress she'd wore at the wedding and he 'knew instantly', saying he 'asked for Sam' but 'knew she wasn't there'.
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Addressing the court, Komoroski said she took responsibility for what she'd done and told Hutchinson she hoped he could forgive her one day.
She said: "I take full responsibility for my actions. Hopefully one day you will be able to forgive me, but I know forgiveness must be earned.
"Regardless of whether that day ever comes, please know I will always be devastated, deeply ashamed and terribly sorry for what I have done."
She said she wanted to make sure people knew about the dangers of drink driving.
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Before sentencing, Samantha Miller's father told Komoroski he would not listen to a word of her apology.
He said: "The rest of my life I’m going to hate you and when I arrive in hell and you come there, I will open the door for you.
"You have ruined so many people’s lives."
The bride's mother, Lisa Miller, said the driver had made a 'conscious choice' to get behind the wheel while drunk.