Drunk driver pleads guilty in Folly Beach crash that killed Charlotte bride

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The drunk driver charged with killing a new bride hours after her wedding in Folly Beach, South Carolina, pleaded guilty in court on Monday.

Jury selection in the trial for Jamie Lee Komoroski was set to begin Monday when she appeared before the judge to plead guilty. Komoroski waived her right to trial and pleaded guilty instead. After hours of speeches from family members, Komoroski was sentenced to:

• 25 years on the charge of felony driving under the influence resulting in death. She will also have to pay $10,100.
• 15 years for the two counts of felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury. She will also have to pay $5,100.
• Ten years on the charge of reckless homicide. She will also have to pay. $5,000 

Her sentence will run concurrently, with her facing up to 25 years in prison. She will receive credit for time served during the house arrest proceeding the trial. 

Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson had just wed in April 2023 when the newlyweds and two family members were on a golf cart. Komoroski was driving a car when she crashed into them at 65 mph, investigators said. Miller died from her injuries, while Hutchinson suffered two broken legs, multiple broken bones in his face and brain injuries. 

Aric Hutchinson spoke before the court on Monday.

“Do you know what it’s like to vow to protect your wife, do anything for her and then lose her hours later,” Aric Hutchinson asked. “She was the wrong person to die that night.”

Hutchinson mother, who also spoke before the court, said her son suffers from survivor’s guilt and wishes he could switch places with his wife.

“Your sentence does not matter to me,” Aric Hutchinson said to Komoroski. “If I had it my way, I would give you [a life sentence]. Seems only fair since you took Sam’s life.”

Aric Hutchinson has suffered both mental and physical pain since the crash.

“Regardless of what decision is made, I will still be in this hell,” Aric Hutchinson said. 

Annette Hutchinson, the mother of the groom, spoke of her son’s anguish since the crash. She told the court he had been readmitted to the hospital as recently as three weeks ago.

Lisa Miller, the bride’s mother, was the first to speak before the court after Komoroski entered her guilty pleas. She told the court of the pain she has felt, the haunting memories suffered and the last time she hugged her daughter, during a dance at the wedding reception just hours earlier. 

Brad Warner, the father of Samantha Miller, directly addressed Komoroski, telling her that he would never forgive her.

Samantha Miller’s sister, Mandy Jenkins, also spoke.

“Her death has left a hole in our life that will never be filed,” Jenkins said of her sister.

Jenkins spoke of her sister’s role as an aunt to her two daughters. 

“Becoming a mother was the greatest milestone of my life, one my sister will never get a chance to do,” Jenkins said.

“Ours is a life sentence without Sam,” Alexis Garrett, the wife of Ben Garrett, who was driving the golf cart, said. 

Charles Komoroski and Traci Komoroski, the parents of Jamie Komoroski, addressed the Miller and Hutchinson families. He apologized for his daughter’s actions, which he described as a “sin.” Ahead of sentencing, Charles Komoroski repeated actions his daughter had taken since the crash, including joining Alcoholics Anonymous.

“I am truly and deeply sorry,” Jamie Komoroski said in court as she turned to address the Miller and Hutchinson families. Komoroski said she was ready to receive whatever punishment the judge saw fit for her choices. “I take full responsibility for my actions,” she said.

Komoroski’s blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit when officers arrested her.

She was released from jail on a $150,000 bond in March. Her release came several months after she was initially denied bond. However, because the trial wasn’t set to begin before April of this year, the judge gave Komoroski house arrest. 

During sentencing, the judge gave her time credit for that house arrest.

Hutchinson was awarded more than $800,000 after settling a lawsuit with multiple bars that served Komoroski on the night of the crash. 

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Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.  

WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings. 

WCNC Charlotte is showing the mugshot of the suspect in this case due to the high public interest and serious charges she faces.