A South Carolina wedding celebration suddenly turned tragic Friday evening when an intoxicated driver collided with a golf cart carrying newlyweds away from the reception.
According to the groom’s mother, “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.”
In the fatal crash, the bride, 34-year-old Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson, lost her life, and the groom, Aric Hutchinson, was critically injured with a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. Additionally, two of the groom’s relatives, Ben and Brogan Garret, also suffered injuries from the crash.
25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski was arrested at the scene and has been formally charged with DUI causing death and reckless homicide. In light of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been established, and a campaign has been launched to help pay for the bride’s funeral expenses and the medical bills of the groom and his family.
The couple called Utah and South Carolina their homes, while the bride was originally from North Carolina. In a touching post on their company’s LinkedIn page, XenTegra, an international IT provider in North Carolina where Samantha worked, shared the heartbreaking news of her death.
The tragedy that Samantha and Aric Hutchinson experienced on their matrimonial night is an upsetting reminder of the risks involved with drunk driving. While their friends and family mourn for the bride and pray for the groom’s recovery and the health of his relatives, the donations from the GoFundMe account will assist in paying for funeral costs and medical fees.