A judge presiding over the case of Samantha Miller Hutchinson, who was killed on her wedding day, came to a verdict concerning the sentencing of Jamie Lee Komoroski, who pled guilty to an array of charges concerning what happened.
Samantha died at 34 on April 28, 2023, when Jamie crashed into a golf cart that Samantha, her husband Aric Hutchinson, and two other members of Aric’s family were in. According to investigators, Jamie was driving at 65 mph when the crash happened.
Aric’s family, which included the widower’s brother-in-law Benjamin Garrett and Benjamin’s son Brogan Garrett, were escorting Aric and Samantha back to their rental home in the golf cart.
The incident, which took Samantha’s life and left the three others injured, occurred on Folly Beach, South Carolina at around 10 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue, according to Folly Beach Police Chief Andrew Gilreath.
As a result, Judge Deadra Jefferson sentenced Jamie to 25 years in prison following her admission of guilt to one count of felony DUI, one count of reckless homicide, and two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury or death.
Broken down by each count, Jamie faces 10 years for the reckless homicide charge, 25 years for the felony DUI with death, and 15 for the two involving great bodily injury.
However, the judge noted that because all her sentences are concurrent, Jamie’s total time in prison amounts to 25 years. During her trial, at which Judge Deadra asked Jamie about her decision to plead guilty, a news outlet reported that the woman told the court she “was not coerced into entering the guilty pleas and was waiving a jury trial to which she would be entitled.”
Speaking on the matter after Jamie’s sentencing, Aric expressed, “I feel like the punishment fit the crime. I do think she’s sorry. However, that doesn’t change the fact that Sam’s not here, my wife’s not here, the family we planned, all of our injuries. So that’ll take some time for sure.”
Prior to the legal proceedings, both Samantha and Aric’s relatives had their time to address the court. Benjamin, who had been driving the golf cart when the crash happened, spoke about his difficulty grasping the fact that he failed to complete the one task he had for the wedding.
“It was my only job and I didn’t get to complete it. We didn’t get hit, we got ran [sic] through. All four of us should have died that night. I believe Sam saved us. It’s who she is, she would have taken one for all of us,” divulged Benjamin. Meanwhile, Jamie, along with her family members, also got the chance to speak. She stated, “For the rest of my life I will carry this guilt and take full responsibility.”
Samantha Miller Hutchinson enjoying a night out, posted in 2024. | Source: Facebook/Brittany Clawson Hutchinson
On the same day that Jamie was sentenced, Aric got emotional as he addressed the court with a statement about his pain in having vowed to protect Samantha only to lose her mere hours after making that promise.
Aric Hutchinson speaking about the death of his late wife in court, posted on December 2, 2024 | Source: Facebook/WCNC Charlotte
“It’s something no one should ever go through. I think about that night every single day and the last moments I had with Sam […] She told me she didn’t want the night to end, and I kissed her on the forehead, and then the next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital,” shared a teary-eyed Aric.
Aric Hutchinson | Source: Facebook/WCNC Charlotte
He continued, “I see my mom’s face, still wearing the wedding dress from the night before, and I knew instantly. That’s why I asked, ‘Where’s Sam?’ I knew she wasn’t there.”
Following the crash, Aric’s mom, Annette Hutchinson, set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of Samantha’s burial and the medical expenses for Aric and his other loved ones.
After contextualizing the accident and what happened, Annette penned, “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.”
She went on to note, “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.” Annette accompanied her message with devastating photos showing how severely injured all three men were.
On September 13, 2023, Annette shared an update in which she expressed her immense gratitude to all the people who had donated and sent their condolences.
The widower’s mom also provided updates on how Aric, Benjamin, and Brogan were doing health-wise. At that time, Annette disclosed that Aric, who had been in the ICU, was dealing with immense grief and stress, and had been re-admitted to the hospital twice due to nausea and severe pain.
Aric Hutchinson speaking about his late wife at the memorial event the family had for her. | Source: Facebook/Brittany Clawson Hutchinson
Benjamin remained in the hospital for eleven days and was only able to reunite with his family in Utah once he was physically capable of flying across the country. “We are forever grateful that my daughter’s son Brogan was relatively uninjured, other than a concussion, bruises, scratches, and soreness,” added Annette.
She went on to divulge sentimental details about Samantha and Aric’s love story, which began in early 2019 and saw them travel together, move across the country to be together and get engaged in June 2021.
Another loved one, by the name of Mandi Jenkins, created an additional GoFundMe page on behalf of a family member named Lisa Miller and in memory of Samantha.
Mandi accompanied her message with an array of beautiful photos of Samantha and Aric surrounded by family on their wedding day and other images showing Samantha with her dad, mom, sister, brother, and best friend.
“Sam Miller was pure love. There isn’t and won’t be another person on this planet that shined the way she did. She was loud. Not with her voice but with her heart. She could make anyone, anywhere smile ear to ear, probably with a vulgar joke,” reminisced Mandi of the late bride.
Samantha Miller Hutchinson singing and dancing in a video. | Source: Facebook/Brittany Clawson Hutchinson
She went on to describe additional fantastic qualities that made Samantha the “unbelievably special” and deeply beloved woman she was before her life ended in tragedy.
“Samantha was fearless and that’s exactly how she spent the last day of her life. She was so excited to start her life with Aric. She had no nerves or hesitation that day. You could feel the love on the beach,” shared Mandi.
Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson dancing on their wedding day. | Source: Facebook/Brittany Clawson Hutchinson
After listing all the roles Samantha played in her life (sister, daughter, mother to two cats, friend), Mandi pleaded, “Please donate whatever you can give to our family. We are going through unimaginable pain and need all of the help we can get.”
In addition to the GoFundMe created for Samantha’s loved ones, a family member named Brittany Clawson Hutchinson took to Facebook to share a tearjerking post.
Her video captured beautiful memories from Samantha’s life, including the day Aric popped the question and their wedding day.
Aric Hutchinson proposing to Samantha Miller Hutchinson. | Source: Facebook/Brittany Clawson Hutchinson
The compilation of pictures and videos also showed other fun moments shared between Samantha and her family, like attending events and recording cute dances to share on social media.
Brittany’s post was from an event the family had to celebrate Samantha’s life, where Aric and other relatives shared words about her. “@martinweddingfilms captured the Charleston Celebration for Sam so beautifully 🤍🤍🤍 Love and miss you Sam,” captioned Mandi underneath the post.
At this time, we extend our deepest condolences to Aric, Samantha’s mom, dad, siblings, friends, the Hutchinson family, and everyone else who knew and loved her. We hope for their healing as they continue to mourn such a significant loss. RIP, dear Samantha.
