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Moments before her felony driving under the influence trial was set to begin in Charleston County, South Carolina, 27-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski entered a guilty plea in connection with April 2023 drunk driving crash on Folly Beach that killed newlywed Samantha Miller on her wedding night.
Komoroski and her attorneys no doubt hoped her plea – which belatedly spared the state some of the expenses of a potentially week-long trial – might result in a more lenient sentence for the New Jersey native, whose blood alcohol content after the crash was recorded at 0.261 (more than three times the legal limit).
That hope was misplaced…
Less than three hours after the plea was entered, S.C. circuit court judge Deadra Jefferson imposed the maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment for Komoroski for the charge of driving under the influence (DUI) resulting in death.
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Komoroski, then 25, got behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry following a “booze-filled day of bar hopping,” according to a civil lawsuit filed in connection with the incident. Grossly inebriated and traveling at excessively high speeds on East Ashley Avenue, she slammed into the rear of a golf cart adorned with ‘Just Married’ signs – mangling the vehicle and propelling it down the road at a high rate of speed.
A witness who heard the impact said it “sounded like a small explosion.” Another recalled hearing “a loud boom and scraping sound.”
The crash killed Miller instantly and severely injured her new husband, Aric Hutchinson.
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Witnesses to the scene reported finding an unresponsive “young white female in a white dress” laying on the ground in the debris field. They checked for a pulse but found none.
It was Miller… in her wedding dress.
Just moments before the impact, at approximately 10:00 p.m. EDT, Miller and Hutchinson had pulled away from their wedding reception at the Pelican Watch Pavilion on Folly Beach. They were being transported to a nearby rental property by Aric’s brother-in-law, Benjamin Garrett, and his nephew, Brogan Garrett.
“The day was perfect, and the wedding went off better than either of them could have imagined,” the civil lawsuit began. “Photos from the wedding depict the newlyweds exactly as they were: madly in love, smiling from ear to ear, and filled with all the hope and promise of what would have been a truly beautiful life together.”
Little did they know what the next few moments would hold…
After “bar hopping down Center Street” on Folly Beach, Komoroski “slurred and staggered her way” through various establishments “consuming an assortment of alcoholic beverages, including beer, tequila shots (and) shift shots of liquor on the house,” per the lawsuit.
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In a “grossly and dangerously intoxicated” and “nearly unconscious state,” Komoroski traveled in the wrong direction from her home “in the stupor of a drunken haze.”
According to an incident report released by the city (.pdf), Komoroski’s Camry was traveling at 65 miles per hour at the moment of impact – 45 miles per hour faster than the posted speed limit.
The groom “received multiple injuries including two broken legs, one which had to be surgically repaired,” according to a recent update to the family’s GoFundMe page written by his mother, Annette Hutchinson.
He also suffered “broken bones in his face which also had to be surgically repaired. Broken vertebrae’s in his back, brain bleeds, and numerous cuts with stitches.”
Benjamin Garrett also needed surgery after the collision due to “severe road rash and open wounds.” Brogan Garrett, thankfully, sustained only minor injuries.
Komoroski initially claimed she had not been drinking, but soon thereafter admitted having “had two drinks, one beer and… (one) tequila pineapple” – about an hour prior to the accident. When officers began to assess the extent of her inebriation, she quickly stopped cooperating with them.
“Ummm, I would like a lawyer,” she said.
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During the hearing on Monday (December 2, 2024), prosecutors made it clear there was no deal from the state regarding a potential sentencing recommendation in exchange for Komoroski’s guilty plea. Accordingly, the state declined to enter a sentencing recommendation.
Prior to issuing her ruling, Jefferson heard from both of Miller’s parents.
Miller’s mother, a professional substance abuse counselor, said she hoped Komoroski would experience the “natural consequences” of her actions – but expressed hope she could successfully seek alcohol addiction treatment.
She became emotional when speaking about her relationship with her late daughter.
“Sam and I had a bond that was very different and very amazing – we both had each-other’s back all the time.” she said. “She wanted everyone to feel loved, cared about.”
Miller’s father was less inclined toward forgiveness.
“For the rest of my life I’m always going to hate you, and when you arrive in Hell, I’m going to open the gate for you,” he said.
Victims’ advocates were “pleasantly surprised” by the strong sentence handed down.
“We did not anticipate the maximum sentence on a plea,” advocate Kim Cockrell said. “This is something that we in South Carolina don’t see often. I do believe that that speaks to the heinousness of this crime and the tremendous loss of Samantha Miller to this world.”
Komoroski was taken into custody immediately after sentencing. She had been free since March 1, 2024 when S.C. circuit court judge Michael Nettles granted her a $150,000 surety bond on all of the charges filed against her.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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1 comment
Justice was served.