Brad Warner spoke as his daughter’s killer was handed a 25-year prison sentence
The father of a woman who died in a car crash on her wedding day has issued a sinister promise to his daughter’s killer.
28 April, 2023 was meant to be the happiest day of Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson‘s lives when they tied the knot by the sea in Folly Beach, South Carolina, US.
However, the couple’s newly wedded bliss would end in tragedy just moments after the couple left the venue when a car slammed into the couple’s golf cart.
Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson on their wedding day (GoFundMe)
Aric would suffer serious injuries from the crash, which included broken bones and brain damage, while 34-year-old Samantha would lose her life. Relatives Benjamin and Brogan Garrett, who were also in the buggy at the time, also suffered injuries from the crash.
The car’s driver was later identified as 27-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, who was found to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.26% – this is more than three times over the legal limit to drive in the state – and had been driving at 65 mph in a 25 zone.
She was subsequently arrested and charged with reckless vehicular homicide, felony DUI causing death and two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury.
Komoroski has since pleaded guilty to all charges and received a 25-year prison sentence for Samantha’s death, as well as 15 years for the serious injuries caused to Hutchinson and 10 years for reckless homicide.
Jamie Lee Komoroski received a 25-year prison sentence (WCSC)
All three sentences will run at the same time.
Samantha’s father Brad Warner spoke in court ahead of her sentencing, refusing to forgive his daughter’s killer and issuing a sinister promise to her.
“The rest of my life I’m going to hate you and when I arrive in hell and you come there, I will open the door for you,” he said to Komoroski. “You have ruined so many people’s lives.”
Aric has also spoken about the sentencing, revealing to US news outlet WCSC that he believes ‘the punishment fit the crime’.
Brad Warner has refused to forgive his daughter’s killer (WCNC)
“I do think she’s sorry,” he said. “However, that doesn’t change the fact that Sam’s not here, my wife’s not here, the family we planned, all of our injuries. So that’ll take some time for sure.”
Meanwhile Komoroski, who had been drinking at several bars on the night in question, has since admitted to having an alcohol addiction at the time and said she was ‘devastated, deeply ashamed and sorry’ for causing Samantha’s death.
“I wish I could go back and undo this terrible tragedy. But I cannot. I will live the rest of my life with intense regret for what happened that night,” she said.
Featured Image Credit: WCNC / GoFundMe
Topics: US News, Crime, Alcohol
The husband of a woman who died on their wedding day is now in a fierce legal battle with her mum.
Back in April this year, Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller were leaving their wedding reception in South Carolina when a young woman driving a Toyota Camry smashed into their golf cart.
The shocking incident left Aric needing urgent medical treatment after suffering a number of broken bones and injuries to his brain.
GoFundMe
Sadly, however, his bride was killed.
Following the tragedy, a legal dispute has now spiralled out of control as Aric and Samantha’s mum, Lisa Miller, have gone to court over the 34-year-old’s estate.
Lisa has filed for the widower to be removed as the personal representative, claiming there were ‘issues of potential fraud’ and ‘conflict of interest’.
The devastated mother has also filed a motion to prevent a wrongful death suit Aric made against local bars for serving the alleged drunk driver – 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski – booze before she got behind the wheel.
READ MORE:
JAMIE LEE KOMOROSKI BROKE DOWN IN TEARS DURING PRISON CALL TO FAMILY
DRUNK DRIVER ACCUSED OF KILLING BRIDE SAYS SHE DID ‘NOTHING WRONG’
Fox News
Aric’s legal team, however, has branded the motion ‘legally baseless’ and ‘morally questionable’ as they look to retain his rights has Samantha’s husband.
Attorney Patrick Wooten told The Post and Courier: “Aric has been more than generous with Lisa Miller — offering her half of the money — and she has repaid him by threatening to bring a frivolous challenge to the validity of his marriage to Sam.
“One would hope that Ms. Miller would have too much respect for her own daughter to do that.”
Lisa told the press that she rejected the offer.
She said that while she had initially wanted to work with Aric, for the sake of her daughter, she had not been given the opportunity.
Instead, she alleged she was made the offer on the proviso she not discuss the case.
“Aric and I agreed several times that Sam would want us to do everything together given we’re the two most important people in her life,” she said.
GoFundMe
“I never wanted to challenge the validity of the marriage. I never wanted to dishonor Sam.
“But I feel like Aric is dishonoring my daughter in going against her wishes.”
Representing the bereaved mother, Jerry Meehan said this whole situation feels like a ‘money grab’.
She said: “Our main reason to intervene is to protect the Estate of Samantha Miller and all of its rightful heirs.
“There is no reason to rush the process and cloak (it) in secrecy if you have nothing to hide.
“This was a money grab from Minute 1.”
Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe/Folly Beach Police Department
Topics: US News
