Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe
Topics: US News
Anish Vij
A man whose wife was tragically killed on their wedding day has woken up and is now planning her funeral.
Just minutes after Samantha Miller, 34, and Aric Hutchinson, 36, left their wedding reception, the bride was killed when an alleged speeding drink driver slammed into the back of a golf cart on a South Carolina beach road.
Data retrieved from the rental car of Jamie Lee Komoroski showed she was driving at 65mph in a 25mph zone, and hit the brakes before she crashed into the golf cart at around 10pm on Friday (28 April) at Folly Beach, US investigators said.
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The Charleston County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Samantha sadly lost her life.
Aric was one of the three others in the golf cart who were injured, along with the groom's brother-in-law Ben Garrett and nephew Brogan.
Folly Beach Public Safety Department director Andrew Gilreath said the golf cart had lights and was legal to drive at night.
Meanwhile, Komoroski, 25, has been charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence (DUI) causing death. She could face one to 25 years in prison on each DUI count.
Annette Hutchinson (Aric's mum) has since set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for Samantha's funeral.
The mum said Aric suffered 'multiple injuries', including two broken legs, with one having to be surgically repaired.
He also suffered 'broken bones in his face which also had to be surgically repaired [and a] broken vertebrae’s in his back, brain bleeds, and numerous cuts with stitches'.
Anette wrote on the GoFundMe: "On April 28th, what started as the happiest day for Aric and Sam ended with a tragedy.
"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."
"[Aric] is physically recovering at home while trying to come to terms with the loss of his beautiful wife.
"Now he is doing the unimaginable of planning Sam’s funeral along with her family.
"We wish to thank everyone who has given us hope through thoughtful words of encouragement and generous donations.
"Also, our hearts go out to the first on the scene, first responders, the police, and all the staff at MUSC hospital, we are forever changed by the love we have received."
At the time of writing more than $700,000 has been raised.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.