A tragic incident in South Carolina has resulted in a $1.3 million partial settlement approved by a judge in the case of a bride, Samantha Miller, who was killed by a drunken driver just hours after her wedding. The collision occurred on April 28, 2023, near Charleston, South Carolina, when Jamie Lee Komoroski, 26, crashed her rental car into a golf cart carrying Samantha Miller, 34, and her new spouse Aric Hutchinson. The crash resulted in the death of Miller and severe injuries to Hutchinson, as well as two others in the golf cart.
The settlement, totaling $1.3 million, will benefit Miller's estate and the other injured parties. The bars that served Komoroski before the crash and the rental car company she used will be responsible for the seven-figure award. After legal fees, the parties will receive $863,000 from the settlement.
Despite the settlement, there are ongoing disputes related to the estate, particularly between Hutchinson and Lisa Miller, the mother of the deceased bride. Lisa Miller has contested the legality of the marriage between Hutchinson and Samantha Miller, leading to disagreements over the distribution of settlement funds.
Komoroski, who was driving at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone at the time of the crash, faces charges including felony driving under the influence resulting in death, reckless homicide, and felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury. She is currently under house arrest awaiting the continuation of her criminal case.
Other defendants, such as the restaurant where Komoroski was employed, have not yet reached settlements with the plaintiffs. The force of the impact sent the golf cart flying 100 feet, flipping it over multiple times before coming to a stop. If convicted, Komoroski could face a minimum of one year and a maximum of 25 years in prison on the most severe charge.
