CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC. (THECOUNT) — Jamie Lee Komoroski has been identified as the suspected DUI driver police say is responsible for a Friday Charleston County crash that killed a new bride and her husband as they departing their wedding reception.
Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson, 34, was killed in the crash, and her new husband, Aric John Hutchinson, was seriously injured in a vehicle-versus-golf cart crash Friday night in Folly Beach.
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According to reports, Komoroski was operating a vehicle on the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue, when the vehicle came into rear end contact with a golf cart carrying the couple as they left their wedding reception Friday around 10 p.m.
Komoroski was subsequently arrested and charged with DUI involving death and reckless homicide.
In all, four people were traveling in the golf cart at the time of the collision.
Sam was pronounced dead of blunt force trauma injuries.
Aric, who has ties to Utah, was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. He had one of two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones and a brain injury.
A GoFundMe page organized by Aric’s mother said family members were escorting the couple from the reception when they were hit from behind.
Via GoFundMe:
Hi, my name is Annette Hutchinson, I am the mother of Aric Hutchinson, the groom. Aric lost the love of his life when my new daughter-in-law Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson was tragically killed by a drunk driver moments after the picture above while leaving her wedding reception on April 28th in Folly Beach, South Carolina. My son is now in critical condition.
My son-in-law Benjamin Garrett and grandson Brogan Garrett from Morgan, Utah were escorting the couple from the reception in a golf cart when they were struck from behind by a drunk driver traveling 65 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. The golf cart was thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times.
Sam died from her injuries. Aric is in serious condition and has had one of two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones, and a brain injury, he will have a long recovery. Ben and Brogan were also injured, Ben seriously.
I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows. Aric has lost the love of his life.
This fundraiser will help pay for Sam’s burial and medical costs for Aric and his family.
The couple made their home in both the groom’s home state of Utah and the state of South Carolina. The bride is from North Carolina.
The groom graduated from Bonneville High School in South Ogden, Utah and played college football for Snow College and Utah Tech.
Investigators determined Komoroski was driving under the influence while going 65 mph at the time she struck the cart.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
DEVELOPING::
Geo quick facts: Charleston County is located in the U.S. state of South Carolina along the Atlantic coast. As of the 2010 census, its population was 350,209, making it the third most populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is Charleston. The county was created in 1901 by an act of the South Carolina State Legislature – Wikipedia.