Everything we know about the life and death of Samantha Miller (2024)

SAMANTHA Miller was tragically killed five hours after exchanging vows with her husband when an alleged drunk driver plowed into her golf cart.

Here's everything we know about the 34-year-old newlywed and the moments that led up to her death.

Who was Samantha Miller?

Samantha Miller, from North Carolina, tied the knot with Aric Hutchinson at a beautiful reception in Folly Beach, South Carolina on April 28, 2023.

However, horror unfolded when the young bride was killed after Jamie Lee Komoroski, accused of going at more than twice the speed limit, slammed into a golf cart carrying her and Aric from their wedding reception.

The golf cart - decorated with a "Just Married" sign - was knocked 100 yards and flipped several times.

Crime scene photos revealed the extent of the damage, and showed the "mangled" golf cart, while the hood of the Toyota had also crumpled in the impact.

Most read in The US Sun

Who is Jamie Lee Komoroski?

Police in South Carolina said that Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, was at the wheel of the vehicle that collided with the golf cart.

Data retrieved from her motor by cops indicated that she was driving at 65mph in a 25mph zone - and hit the brakes just moments before the fatal crash.

She had allegedly been drinking heavily all day, consuming a concoction of beer, tequila, and several other spirits.

When cops tested her blood alcohol level it was recorded more than three times the legal limit, according to authorities.

It was also reported the 25-year-old was "uncooperative" at the scene, refusing sobriety tests.

Komoroski was charged with one count of felony DUI resulting in death, two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury, and one count of reckless homicide.

She was indicted nearly five months after the tragedy.

She was later pictured in her striped prison jumpsuit sobbing after a judge denied her bail and branded her a flight risk.

Meanwhile, at ajailhouse call in May, Komoroski was heard complaining to her parents that her "whole life is going to be over" and asking why "this happened to me."

In response, her father told her to "suck it up" and "get tough."

The defendant replied that she "can't wait for this to be over."

As ABC4 reported, Komoroski's bond has been set at $150,000.

The New York Post reported that she is expected to be released from jail on Friday, March 1, 2024.

She will be "placed under house arrest in Charleston County, South Carolina, with an ankle monitor, according to jail records and sources close to her case."

How did Samantha Miller die?

Samantha died of blunt force injuries at the scene of the crash.

Her mother, Lisa, has since spoken out about the tragedy that ripped their lives apart.

In a heartbreaking statement, she said Komoroski "killed" their whole family.

The devastated mom added: "Three months is nothing. I mean, it seems like yesterday for us.

"Why should she get out and just go about their merry way, you know?"

Aric's mother, Annette Hutchinson, launched a GoFundMe page for the couple, raising $734,045.

She wrote: "Aric lost the love of his life when my new daughter-in-law Samantha 'Sam' Hutchinson was tragically killed by a drunk driverwhile leaving her wedding reception on April 28th in Folly Beach, South Carolina."

What happened to Aric Hutchinson?

Aric was in the golf cart that was catapulted 100 yards and rolled several times, alongside his new wife Sam.

The young groom was left with multiple broken bones and a brain injury and has undergone reconstruction surgery.

Annette, Aric's mom, previously told how her son was in a "critical condition".

She said: "Aric is in serious condition and has had one of two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones, and a brain injury, he will have a long recovery."

She wrote on the GoFundMe page: "I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows.

"Aric has lost the love of his life.

"The couple made their home in both the groom's home state of Utah and the state of South Carolina. The bride is from North Carolina.

"The groom graduated from Bonneville High School in South Ogden, Utah and played college football for Snow College and Utah Tech."

The groom has recovered and since filed a wrongful death lawsuit, according to court documents obtained byQueen City News.

He sought damages from Komoroski and the bars that continued to serve her.

In October 2023, Aric reached a settlement with two bars that overserved the driver.

The Crab Shack and The Drop In Bar & Deli agreed to pay "certain sums" in a September 28 petition by the Charleston County Court.

Who is Samantha's mother, Lisa?

Though Aric lost the love of his life in the freak accident, Samantha's mother Lisa also lost a daughter.

While the two have been mourning the loss and dealing with the lawsuits that followed, Lisa filed a petition to remove Aric from Samantha's estate.

In Aric's wrongful death lawsuit, Samantha's estate is allegedly meant to obtain a hefty settlement.

Aric's attorney, Patrick Wooten, told The Post and Courier: "Aric has been more than generous with Lisa Miller — offering her half of the money — and she has repaid him 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 do that."

While Lisa couldn't speak much on the offer due to legal reasoning, she told the outlet that the petition was filed to honor her late daughter.

Lisa said: "Aric and I agreed several times that Sam would want us to do everything together given we’re the two most important people in her life.

"I never wanted to challenge the validity of the marriage. I never wanted to dishonor Sam. But I feel like Aric is dishonoring my daughter in going against her wishes."