A wedding marks the beginning of a couple’s married life with lots of love and high optimism for the future. For Samatha Miller and Aric Hutchinson, a tragic accident changed their fate moments after exchanging their marriage vows. What is the story of the bride killed in a golf cart crash in Folly Beach, South Carolina?
A horrific accident changed the life of Aric Hutchinson in April 2023. He was left nursing severe injuries, while Samatha Miller was the bride killed in the golf cart crash. After the accident, much more was still to come as he was involved in lawsuits seeking settlement. However, he may not be the only one who wants to be the benefactor of the settlement and Samatha's estate.
What happened to Samatha Miller, the bride killed in a golf cart crash?
Samatha Miller and Aric Hutchinson exchanged marriage vows on 28 April 2023 in Folly Beach, South Carolina. A vehicle hit them from behind as the newlywed couple left their wedding reception party in a low-speed golf cart.
The horrific crash led to the death of bride Samatha Miller at the scene, while three other people on board survived with severe injuries. Groom Aric Hutchinson was among the casualties. Samatha Miller, the South Carolina bride killed in the crash, was 34 years old.
From the police investigations, it was revealed that the driver of the vehicle that crashed into the golf cart was Jamie Lee Komoroski. Jamie was driving at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone, and her blood alcohol level was thrice the legal limit. She was charged with driving under the influence and reckless murder.
The Folly Beach golf cart accident lawsuit and settlement
In May 2023, after Aric Hutchinson recovered from the injuries he sustained in the crash, he filed a lawsuit against the driver and multiple local bars. In the suit, several bars Jamie Lee Komoroski visited are named. Aric’s lawyer argues that the bars had a duty of care not to allow patrons to become intoxicated and not to serve alcohol to intoxicated persons. Here is a list of persons Aric Hutchinson sued.
- Jamie Komoroski
- Beach Front Bars, LLC. - Snapper Jacks
- The Folly Deli, LLC. - The Drop In Bar & Deli
- Crab Shack Inc. - The Crab Shack
- Folly Tacqueria, LLC. - Taco Boy
- Supervisor DOE
- El Gallo Bar and Grill LLC.
- Bottle Cap Holdings, LLC.
- Bottle Cap Management Group, LLC.
- John or Jane Does 1-20*
Komoroski’s application for release on bond was denied on 1 August 2023. She is expected to remain in custody until her trial in March 2024.
In September 2023, Aric Hutchinson received an offer for settlement from The Crab Shack, The Folly Deli, and Progressive Northern Insurance Company. The offer included payment of money to Samatha Miller’s beneficiaries, attorney fees, and any other relief determined by the court. However, the exact amount of settlement has not been disclosed.
Legal battle between the groom and bride’s mother
At the time of Samatha Miller’s demise in the golf cart accident at Folly Beach, she had no will. Therefore, under South Carolina law, her husband is entitled to her estate. As a result, Hutchinson was appointed the personal estate representative on 10 May 2023, a decision which did not settle well with Lisa Miller.
With the companies offering the settlement of the lawsuit by Aric Hutchinson, there is a controversy surrounding who the beneficiary is. Samatha Miller’s husband and her mother, Lisa Miller, are engaged in another legal tussle, each wanting to be the sole beneficiary of the settlement.
Lisa argues that the marriage between Aric Hutchinson and Samatha Miller, the bride killed by the drunk driver, was not valid as they did not spend their wedding night together. Hutchinson’s lawyer argues that the former couple lived together for four years before the marriage. Hutchinson reportedly offered to give Lisa half of the settlement in exchange for her not disputing the marriage, but his mother-in-law declined.
Wrapping up
The lawsuit seeking a settlement for Samatha Miller, the bride killed in a golf cart crash, has not been concluded. The main suspect, Jamie Komoroski, is in custody awaiting trial scheduled for March 2024. Meanwhile, a second legal battle has ensued between Aric Hutchinson and Lisa Miller, as each wants to be the sole beneficiary of the late Samatha Miller’s estate.
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