Samantha Hutchinson’s death: Video shows newly-weds' crashed LSV that rolled over 'multiple times' in fatal collision
FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: A video shows the condition of a low-speed vehicle (LSV) that bride Samantha Hutchinson, 34, and her groom Aric Hutchinson, 36, took after they left their wedding reception at 10 pm on April 28, 2023. It shows the seats detached, the axle connecting the two back wheels almost broken and a torn piece of the bride's gown stuck in the bumper of the vehicle.
Samantha was tragically killed and Aric got critically injured with broken bones and a brain injury after a drunk driver, driving a rented Toyota Camry with a speed of 65 mph, slammed into the newly-wed couple’s LSV. The culprit was identified as Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, who has been charged with three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm or death, and one count of reckless homicide.
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It is LSV and not a golf cart, confirms Folly Beach Public Safety Department Chief
It was first stated the vehicle was a golf cart, however, Folly Beach Public Safety Department Chief Andrew Gilreath later confirmed it to be an LSV, because they are allowed to be driven at night, reports ABC4 News which obtained the footage of the LSV. Commenting on the difference, Etto Leisure Cars CEO Will Harton said LSVs, which can’t be driven above 35 mph, come with more stringent safety features than golf carts and that includes headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seat belts, advanced braking system, and reflectors. "If somebody hits you speeding, driving drunk, or recklessly there's not a lot of safety features that can protect you from that," said the CEO, who further explained, "Golf carts can be operated within four miles of your home during daylight hours, not on main surface streets, more neighborhood riding."
Details of the crash that killed Samantha Hutchinson
According to an affidavit, the fatal crash took place on the 1200 block of East Ashley Avenue around 10.15 pm. The responding officer described seeing “a large crash scene with a golf cart on its side," states Count on 2. Officers initially attempted to save the couple, whose golf cart flipped and rolled several times after the collision.
A GoFundMe set up by Aric's mother Annette Hutchinson detailed the incident while adding, "My son-in-law Benjamin Garrett and grandson Brogan Garrett from Morgan, Utah were escorting the couple from the reception in a golf cart when 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." Brogan has been released from the hospital on April 30, while Benjamin remains under care after being severely injured, reports The Sun.
Following the crash, officials stated that Komoroski "strongly refused and became uncooperative." Upon being asked by police how impaired she felt on a scale of one to 10, she replied eight. She was arrested and now remains in police custody at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. She is also placed on suicide watch at Charleston County Jail in South Carolina after she told an officer at the hospital that she wanted to kill herself, as per New York Post. Her next court date has been set for mid-June and if convicted, she could face 25 years in prison.