Global Courant 2023-05-15 17:58:38
A groom has spoken for the first time after his bride was killed and seriously injured in an accident on their wedding night.
WCIV in Charleston reports Aric Hutchinson was on a motorized wagon with his bride, Samantha Miller Hutchinson, in Folly Beach on April 28. The couple was leaving their wedding reception when they were hit by a driver who investigators say was under the influence.
Friends and family celebrated the life of Miller, who is from Charlotte. Aric was also there on his first visit to the beach since the crash. He is confined to a wheelchair as he recovers from multiple broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. People paddled into the water to honor Samantha’s life by throwing flowers into the ocean with “Sam” written on the stems.
‘She would have loved it. This is Sam. I mean, she’s a beach girl through and through,’ Aric said. “We walk here almost every morning, and this is definitely her farewell. She sure is smiling up there.”
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“I feel pretty good. My body is getting back to where I can handle it, I think,” Aric said. “It’s as good as I can feel about the situation.”
Two other people in the golf cart were also injured.
Hutchinson said people in the Folly Beach area donated food during his recovery.
“It’s a bit overwhelming; but they’re, I mean, they’re genuine, sincere, kind-hearted people who just reach out and who felt a reason to, or somehow 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 drunk driving and one count of reckless manslaughter. Investigators said Komoroski was traveling 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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