Jamie Lee Komoroski, the woman responsible for the fatal car crash that killed newlywed bride Samantha Miller and injured several others on April 28, 2023, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after pleading guilty to multiple charges. The crash occurred in Folly Beach, South Carolina, when Komoroski, who was heavily intoxicated, slammed her Toyota Camry into a golf cart carrying Miller, her new husband Aric Hutchinson, and other passengers. The crash left Miller dead and Hutchinson, along with two others, seriously injured. Komoroski was found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .261, more than three times the legal limit.
Komoroski, who was 25 years old at the time of the crash, was charged with felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury, felony DUI resulting in death, and reckless homicide resulting in death. She had been driving at an estimated speed of 65 mph in a 25 mph zone when the crash occurred. At the scene, she refused a breath test, but her BAC was determined through later testing. The crash occurred just after the wedding reception, as Miller and Hutchinson were leaving in the golf cart, driven by Hutchinson’s brother-in-law and his son. The crash tragically ended what should have been one of the happiest moments of their lives.
In December 2024, Komoroski pleaded guilty to the charges, which led to her sentencing. She received 10 years in prison for reckless homicide, 15 years for the two felony DUI charges resulting in bodily injury, and 25 years for the felony DUI charge resulting in Miller’s death. These sentences will run concurrently, meaning Komoroski is expected to serve 25 years in prison. Along with her prison time, she was also ordered to pay fines totaling $20,200.
Miller’s family members spoke emotionally during the sentencing. Lisa Miller, Samantha’s mother, who had worked as a counselor helping people struggling with substance abuse, expressed the importance of holding people accountable for their actions. She stated that consequences are essential for recovery. Other family members, including Samantha’s sister and father, also shared their anguish. Her father, Bradley Warner, who had been a victim of a hit-and-run as a child, described the deep hatred he had carried for decades toward the driver who hit him. After years of struggling with that anger, he had found a way to forgive, but following his daughter’s death, he revealed that hatred had resurfaced with a vengeance. His words to Komoroski were particularly poignant, stating that he would hate her for the rest of his life.
Aric Hutchinson, the groom, also shared the emotional toll the crash had taken on him. He spoke about the physical pain he still endured 19 months later and the emotional burden of surviving when his wife did not. He expressed his ongoing guilt over her death and read aloud part of their wedding vows, highlighting the painful irony that Samantha had recited her commitment to him just hours before she was killed. Hutchinson’s words revealed the deep trauma and sorrow that the crash had caused.
Despite the overwhelming grief expressed by the victim’s families, Komoroski took full responsibility for her actions in a brief statement before the court. She acknowledged the enormity of her mistake, stating that driving drunk was the worst decision she had ever made and expressing deep remorse for the tragic outcome of her actions. Komoroski’s family and friends spoke of her remorse and painted her as someone who had sought help and entered recovery. She had been actively participating in Alcoholics Anonymous and was described as someone who genuinely regretted what she had done.
Komoroski’s actions at the scene of the crash also raised questions. Witnesses described her as dazed and confused, and she was heard saying repeatedly that she had “done nothing wrong” and asking for her boyfriend. In jailhouse recordings, Komoroski was heard expressing disbelief over the severity of her situation, calling the crash a “freak accident.” However, her statements were seen as reflecting her shock and confusion rather than true accountability.
The sentencing brought a measure of justice to the grieving families, but it did little to heal the profound losses they had experienced. The crash left irreparable emotional scars, particularly for Hutchinson, who now carries the weight of his wife’s death every day. The case serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence and the far-reaching impact of impaired driving on families and communities.
