A bride was killed just moments after her wedding reception when a drunk driver allegedly slammed into the couple's golf cart on a South Carolina beach road, authorities have said. Samantha Miller, 34, from Charlotte, North Carolina, died in the collision, which occurred on Friday evening on Folly Beach.
According to the Charleston County coroner's office, Miller had been married only hours earlier. The groom, Aric Hutchinson, remains in hospital in a critical condition with a brain injury and multiple broken bones. Three others in the golf cart were also injured.
Data from the suspect's rental car indicated she was driving at 65 mph (105 km/h) in a 25 mph (40 km/h) zone and only briefly braked before hitting the golf cart, which had lights and was legal to drive at night, according to investigators.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, has been charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing death. She faces up to 25 years in prison for each DUI count. She remains in custody without a lawyer currently on record.
The groom's mother has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs and medical expenses. The page features a photo of the newlyweds running under sparklers just before the crash, as well as an image of Mr Hutchinson in hospital with his wedding band, which had been placed on his finger by his now-deceased wife only hours earlier.
