The husband of a bride who tragically died in a car crash on their wedding night in South Carolina will receive nearly a million dollars in a legal settlement related to the incident, allegedly caused by a drunk driver.
According to The Post and Courier, Aric Hutchinson will get around $863,300 from Folly Beach establishments The Drop-In Bar & Deli, the Crab Shack, and Snapper Jacks, as well as from Progressive auto insurance and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The settlement was approved this week by Charleston County Circuit Court Judge Roger Young.
Hutchinson filed a lawsuit against these businesses after Jamie Lee Komoroski crashed a rented vehicle into the golf cart carrying him and his wife, Samantha Miller, away from their wedding reception on April 28, 2023.
The impact of the crash threw the golf cart a distance of 100 yards.
Police investigate the area of a shooting (Via Amelia Grint/Shutterstock)
Miller, still in her wedding dress, tragically passed away at the scene, while Hutchinson survived with severe injuries including a brain injury and multiple fractures. Komoroski was reported to be driving at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone.
In his lawsuit for wrongful death, Hutchinson alleged that Komoroski had been visibly intoxicated after visiting several bars near Folly Beach and then drove her Toyota Camry with a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
The total settlements amount to $1.3 million, although the final amount after attorney fees and other costs will be less than that.
Komoroski is currently free on bond as her case progresses through the legal system. She faces charges including felony DUI resulting in death, reckless homicide, and two counts of felony DUI resulting in serious bodily injury.
