The image is still burned into the collective memory of the Lowcountry. A bride and groom, beaming under a canopy of sparklers, just seconds away from what was supposed to be the rest of their lives.
Then came the sirens.
It's been a few years since the night Samantha Miller, a 34-year-old Folly Beach bride killed on her wedding night, became a national headline. But even now in 2026, the case remains a touchstone for discussions on DUI laws, golf cart safety, and the long, messy road to "justice." Honestly, if you look past the tragic photos, the legal aftermath was way more complicated than most people realize.
The Night Everything Broke
April 28, 2023. It was a Friday night on Folly Beach, that laid-back, "Edge of America" island just outside Charleston. Samantha and her new husband, Aric Hutchinson, were leaving their reception. They were in a golf cart—a completely legal, lit-up vehicle—slowly making their way home.
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Then, Jamie Lee Komoroski happened.
Komoroski was driving a rental car at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone. She was flying. She slammed into the back of that golf cart so hard it didn't just tip; it was thrown 100 yards and rolled over several times. Samantha died at the scene, still in her wedding dress. Aric woke up in a hospital bed with a brain injury and more broken bones than he could count.
Basically, it was a nightmare.
The Sentence Heard 'Round the State
For over a year, people waited to see if Jamie Komoroski would actually face the music. In late 2024, she pleaded guilty to felony DUI resulting in death and reckless homicide. She didn't take a plea deal. She just stood there, apologized to the family, and took whatever the judge was going to throw at her.
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The judge gave her 25 years.
That is the maximum for felony DUI in South Carolina. For some, it felt like enough. For others, like Samantha’s mother, Lisa Miller, no amount of time would ever be "fair." Lisa’s victim impact statement was haunting; she told the court she would "open the door" for Komoroski in hell. That kind of grief doesn't just go away because a prison door shuts.
The Money: $1.3 Million and the "Bar Hopping" Trail
While the criminal case was the loud part, the civil lawsuits were where the real mechanics of the tragedy were dissected. Aric Hutchinson sued everyone. He sued the driver, obviously, but he also sued the bars that served her.
South Carolina has "dram shop" laws, which basically say if you over-serve someone who is clearly drunk and they go out and kill someone, you're on the hook too.
- The Bars: Establishments like The Drop In Bar & Deli, Snapper Jacks, and The Crab Shack were named.
- The Settlements: By 2025, the total settlement amount reached about $1.3 million.
- The Final Piece: Just recently, in December 2025, the final $160,000 settlement from Komoroski’s own insurance was approved.
After lawyer fees and medical bills, Aric didn't walk away with a "lottery win." Most of that money went to the massive medical debt from his recovery and the estate of his late wife. It was never about the cash; it was about making it hurt for the businesses that let her walk out the door with a 0.261 blood alcohol level. That’s more than three times the legal limit. She wasn't just "tipsy." She was incapacitated.
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Why It Still Matters Today
People still argue about the golf cart. You’ll hear locals on Folly or in Charleston saying, "Well, they shouldn't have been on the road in a golf cart at night."
But here’s the thing: the golf cart was legal. It had lights. It was doing exactly what it was supposed to do. The issue wasn't the cart; it was the person behind the wheel of a 3,000-pound car going nearly triple the speed limit.
This case changed how the Lowcountry looks at wedding transport. You see fewer golf carts at night now. More couples are opting for heavy-duty shuttles or professional transport. It’s a "better safe than sorry" mentality that took a tragedy to instill.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Folly Beach Tragedy
If there is anything to take away from this, it’s not just "don't drink and drive." That’s obvious. It’s about the layers of responsibility we often ignore.
1. Know Your State’s Dram Shop Laws
If you own a business or are hosting an event with an open bar, you are legally responsible for your guests. If someone leaves your party and causes an accident, you could lose everything. Use professional, insured bartenders who know how to cut people off.
2. Golf Cart Safety is Relative
Just because it’s legal doesn't mean it’s safe against a distracted or drunk driver. If you're planning a beach wedding, consider the "crashability" of your transport. Golf carts offer zero protection in a high-speed rear-end collision.
3. Designated Drivers aren't "Suggestions"
Jamie Komoroski was driving a rental car. She was in a town she didn't live in, likely using GPS, and she was hammered. If you’re traveling, use rideshares. It costs $30 to save a life.
The story of the Folly Beach bride killed on her wedding night is a permanent scar on the South Carolina coast. It’s a reminder that one person's "booze-filled day of bar hopping" can delete a family in the blink of an eye.
To stay informed on current South Carolina DUI legislation and victim advocacy, you can follow the updates from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) South Carolina, who have been heavily involved in supporting the Miller and Hutchinson families throughout this legal saga.