A groom whose bride was killed just hours after they tied the knot in a horror crash which also hospitalised him has been seen for the first time since the tragic evening.
Aric Hutchinson, 36, was leaving his wedding reception with his new wife Samantha 'Sam' Miller, 34, in a golf cart when a drunk driver slammed into them.
Jamie Komoroski, 25, was allegedly travelling 65mph in a 25mph zone and was intoxicated when police arrived on the scene.
Authorities say she crashed her rental car into the golf cart, which was also carrying Aric's brother-in-law Ben Garrett and nephew Brogan, after the couple left their reception following a wedding day which was everything Sam had "dreamed that day would be."
The cart was thrown 100 yards in the incident, which happened on Folly Beach, South Carolina, on April 28.
Sam died at the scene, still wearing her stunning white wedding dress.
Aric was rushed to hospital suffering from broken bones in his legs, broken bones in his face, broken vertebrae in his back and brain bleeds requiring surgeries to fix many of his wounds
Having been in a serious condition for some time, Aric faced the daunting task of waking up and planning his beloved wife's funeral.
On Saturday, May 13, at least a hundred people, including Aric, gathered at Folly Beach - where the couple were wed.
They met to remember Sam, and honour her life by throwing flowers into the ocean for her.
"She would've loved it," Aric told local broadcaster Live 5 WCSC.
"This is Sam. I mean, she's a beach girl, through and through.
"We do walk here almost every morning, and this is her send-off for sure. She's up there smiling for sure."
Aric was seen sitting on the shoreline in a wheelchair, as he continues to recover from his injuries.
"I'm feeling pretty good," he said.
"My body's getting back to where I can manage, I guess.
"It's just as good as I can feel with the situation, but obviously, today and the outpouring of people was just amazing. I know Sam would love it."
People from all over have flocked to a GoFundMe page set up by Aric's mum to show their support, with money raised set to go toward Sam's burial and medical costs for Aric and his family.
Aric also explained that the people of Folly Beach, some with no connection to the couple, have shown their support by donating food during his recovery and sending their love and prayers.
"It's a little overwhelming," he said.
"But it's, I mean, they're sincere, genuine, good-hearted people that are just reaching out that felt a reason to, or somehow they were touched by Sam.
"It just means the world. She left that impact."
Tara Novit, a Folly Beach surfer, helped organise the event, and explained that the community treats everyone like one big family.
"That's one thing about this community is that we all come together when tragedy hits," said Novit.
"It really is a tragedy for Folly Beach, and we're all grieving with the family."
In an update on the GoFundMe, Aric's mum Annette, said: "We are missing Sam more than anything, she instantly fit into our family from the first day Aric and Sam met, she was everything to my son and changed him for the better.
"She could light up a room with her presence and had an ease about her. They shared many hopes and dreams for their future including children and building a house."
Kmoroski has been charged with three counts of felony DUI and one count of reckless homicide. According to a toxicology report, she had a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
