A groom whose bride died in a collision on their wedding day has spoken out about the tragedy.
Aric Hutchinson, 36, and Sam Miller, 34, had just left their wedding reception on Folly Beach, South Carolina when the golf cart they were traveling in collided with a car, killing Sam and seriously injuring Aric.
The car was allegedly driven by 25-year-old Jamie Komoroski who was over the drink driving limit.
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Komoroski was arrested following the incident, and has since been charged with three counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury/death and one count of reckless homicide.
Now, bereaved husband Aric has opened up about the tragic end to what had been a perfect day, including revealing the last thing his wife had said to him.
Speaking of his late wife in an interview with Good Morning America, Aric said: "Sam's just got that glow. She's the type that walks in a room, and you notice.
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. That night, going from an all-time high to an all-time low, it's pretty rough to try to comprehend.
"I do remember the last thing I remember her saying was she wanted the night to never end."
Aric said that the next thing he remembers after that was waking up in hospital and asking 'where's Sam?'. His mother then had to deliver the heartbreaking news that 'Sam didn't make it'.
He added: "She [Sam] was so happy. I mean, planning a wedding, as most people know, is extremely stressful. And she just had a weird, like, calmness that night."
Now Aric faces returning home alone, but remains stoic in the face of the appalling tragedy.
Speaking about going back to their shared apartment, he said: "It's hard, but it's also nice. It's got Sam written all over the house. I know she's up there watching, just laughing at me trying to get up and down these stairs because it was her decision to go to the third floor."
He has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Komoroski and a number of bars and restaurants that served her alcohol, despite her allegedly being 'visibly intoxicated'. A blood alcohol test carried out by police revealed that Komoroski had been three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.
However, Aric is not yet ready to face Komoroski, saying: "I can't right now. I'd like to. I mean, she stole an amazing human being that should not have been taken."
Komoroski's lawyer said in a statement: "We cannot fathom what the families are going through and offer our deepest sympathies. We simply ask that there not be a rush to judgment. Our court system is founded upon principles of justice and mercy and that is where all facts will come to light."
Kit Roberts