As they exited their bridal reception, a newlywed couple in South Carolina ran through sparklers. Moments later, a speeding vehicle collided with their golf cart, killing the bride and inflicting severe injuries on the betrothed. A suspected drunk motorist was apprehended and charged.
A bride leaving her wedding reception was killed when a golf cart transporting the newlyweds was struck by an alleged drunk driver going more than twice the speed limit.
Samantha Miller, 34, passed away just hours after exchanging her wedding vows with Aric Hutchinson, according to South Carolina authorities.
According to the coroner’s office, the North Carolina bride died of blunt force injuries at the site of the accident.
Mr. Hutchinson remains in critical condition in the hospital due to a cerebral injury and multiple bone fractures.
When a vehicle crashed into the back of the golf cart on a South Carolina beach road, it was thrown 100 yards and flipped multiple times. The cart was decorated with a “just married” sign.
According to police, 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski was driving the other vehicle.
Andrew Gilreath, the public safety director for the Folly Beach area where the accident occurred, stated that data retrieved from her rental car indicated she was traveling at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone and had only momentarily applied the brakes before colliding with the golf cart.
The bride’s mother created a GoFundMe page to raise money for her son’s medical expenses and her daughter-in-law’s funeral.
It included a photograph of the newlyweds sprinting through sparklers moments before the accident.
She wrote, “Aric’s wedding ring was delivered to me in a plastic bag at the hospital five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they exchanged their vows.
“Aric has lost the greatest love of his life.”
Two additional passengers in the golf cart were injured.
Local authorities claimed the golf cart could be driven at night on 35 mph or less routes.
Komoroski has been charged with negligent vehicular homicide and three counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury.
