Samantha Miller: Grim images show newlywed's gown embedded in bumper of Jamie Lee Komoroski’s car
FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: A slew of new harrowing images have emerged, showing pieces of newlywed bride Samantha Miller’s wedding gown stuck in the bumper of the drunk driver's car. The 34-year-old Miller and her husband Aric Hutchinson were leaving their wedding reception in a golf cart with two friends when an alleged drunken driver, Jamie Komoroski, struck them at Folly Beach, South Carolina, on Friday, April 28.
The newlywed couple's cart was thrown 100 yards and caused to roll many times by the impact of the collision. Now, new images shared with ABC4 revealed that parts of Miller’s wedding gown were left stuck in the bumper of Komoroski’s Toyota rental car. Meanwhile, other terrifying images revealed the state of Miller and Hutchinson's low-speed car, which was shattered in the collision. The cart was shown with its seats dismantled and the axle between the two back wheels nearly destroyed, according to Daily Mail.
READ MORE
'A major collision scene with a golf cart on its side'
Miller and her new husband were on their way to their rented Airbnb after being married at Folly Beach last Friday when Komoroski struck their vehicle while driving at 65mph in a 25mph zone in an intoxicated state. When the first officer arrived, there was already "a major collision scene with a golf cart on its side" and multiple casualties among the wreckage, according to the signed affidavit the officer provided. He said his priority was treating the new bride, but when his efforts failed, he also rendered aid to Hutchinson, who was rushed to hospital with severe injuries, including brain injury and several broken bones. He has already undergone two reconstruction surgeries, according to his mother Annette, who has set up a fundraising campaign for funeral and medical expenses.
After triaging the wounded individuals, officers went to check on Komoroski, who was unharmed in the crash. The authorities said the 25-year-old logistics account executive smelled of alcohol and even had trouble standing. When they asked to rate her impairment on a scale of one to 10, she replied that she was at a level eight. Before putting Komoroski into Charleston County Jail, police claimed in an affidavit that she had told hospital staff that she "wanted to kill herself." Komoroski is scheduled to return to court in June and is reportedly now under suicide watch. She could face up to 25 years in prison for the death of the bride, as well as a fine of up to $25,100, and an additional 15 years and $10,100 for the serious injury caused to the men in the buggy.
'It was the best day of her life'
Following the tragedy, Samantha’s sister, Mandi Jenkins, narrated the last hours of the wedding day, saying, “I’ve never seen the light in [Samantha] eyes shine as bright as that day, from the moment that day started, getting ready for her wedding at the house. It was the best day of her life," reports ABC 4 News. "We were in our pajamas sitting on the balcony beside Bert's at our place where we're staying and started to hear the sirens. And the sirens kept going,” she added.