Authorities said a drunk driver struck their golf cart as they were leaving their wedding reception in South Carolina, killing the bride and seriously injuring the groom.
Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson, 34, was photographed smiling from ear to ear as she exited the party around 10 p.m. WYFF 4 reported on Friday that she and husband Aric Hutchinson were leaving their wedding venue in Folly Beach when a drunk driver rear-ended their golf cart.
“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,” the groom’s mother wrote on a GoFundMe page, which identified the couple as victims of the collision.
“Aric has lost the love of his life,” she said.
According to Hutchinson’s mother, the newlyweds were being escorted in the golf cart by two groom’s relatives, Ben Garret and Brogan Garrett, who were also injured in the crash.
“The golf cart was thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times,” the page said.
The car was “struck from behind by a drunk driver travelling 65 MPH in a 25 MPH zone,” according to the GoFundMe page.
According to his mother, Aric suffered a brain injury and multiple bone fractures. The majority of his face is bruised, and he is still in critical condition at the hospital after undergoing two reconstructive surgeries.
According to the page, Ben, one of the passengers, is also in critical condition.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, the car’s driver, was arrested and charged with DUI involving death and reckless homicide.
Komoroski’s blood results are pending, but according to police, she was driving 65 mph when she collided with the golf cart.
Hutchinson’s mother started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay for the bride’s burial and medical expenses for the groom and his family.
According to the GoFundMe, the couple lived in both the groom’s home state of Utah and South Carolina. The bride is originally from North Carolina.
Samantha’s employer, XenTegra, an international IT provider based in Huntersville, North Carolina, announced her death on LinkedIn, stating that she was a “integral member” of their team.
“She carried a light about her, one that shined so brightly upon everyone with whom she interacted. Simply put, Samantha brought an abundance of joy and laughter to the workplace,” the company wrote, noting she was a dedicated and detail-oriented worker who went above and beyond.
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“But beyond her professional accomplishments, Samantha was a wonderful person. In the last several months, our team was able to join in her excitement as she shared photos and intricate details about her upcoming wedding,” the company wrote. “We will forever remember Samantha’s smile, her laughter, and her dedication to her work, friends, and family.”
