Woman gets 25 years in prison for accident under the influence of alcohol

A South Carolina woman who admitted she was driving drunk when she plowed her vehicle into a newlywed couple’s golf cart, killing the bride, was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison.

According to online court records, 27-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence of alcohol causing death and two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily harm. Komoroski pleaded guilty in a Charleston County court before handing down his sentence Monday.

District Court Judge Deadra Jefferson sentenced Komoroski to 25 years in prison for driving under the influence causing death. Komoroski was also sentenced to 10 years for voluntary manslaughter and 15 years for each drunk driving and assault charge. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Komoroski spoke in court Monday before her sentencing, admitting that she “decided to drink and drive” on the night of April 28, 2023, which led to the death of 34-year-old Samantha Miller and the serious injuries of three other of Miller’s family members. Komoroski apologized for her “reckless and thoughtless actions” and said she was addicted to alcohol at the time of the incident.

“Unfortunately, it took this incredible tragedy and this horrific incident to make me aware of the extent of my addiction,” Komoroski told the court and Miller’s family members. “I take full responsibility for my actions. Hopefully one day you will be able to forgive me, but I know that forgiveness has to be earned.”

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Police said Miller was killed just hours after her wedding ceremony on a South Carolina beach, where she tied the knot with Aric Hutchinson. The couple was leaving their reception when Komoroski rammed their rented Toyota Camry into the back of the couple’s golf cart.

Miller died at the scene, while Hutchinson, his brother-in-law and nephew suffered serious injuries in the two-vehicle collision, USA TODAY previously reported. Police said data from Komoroski’s rental car showed she was driving 65 mph when she briefly hit the brakes before hitting the golf cart.

Court documents revealed that Komoroski, of Charleston, South Carolina, refused a field sobriety and alcohol test. After her arrest, medical personnel took a blood sample and determined her blood alcohol content was 0.261 — more than three times the legal limit for driving while driving, according to court documents.

In May 2023, Hutchinson filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Komoroski and local businesses that served her alcohol the night of the incident. According to the lawsuit, Komoroski had been “bar hopping” that day.

“Although Jaime Komoroski was noticeably and visibly intoxicated at each of these establishments, he continued to be served, provided and/or permitted to consume alcohol at each of them,” the lawsuit states.

According to The Post and Courier, Hutchinson later received more than $863,000 in settlements from three bars, Komoroski’s car insurance and the company from which she rented the car.

During victim impact statements Monday, Hutchinson spoke through tears, describing his physical injuries and sharing his final moments with Miller.

“I think about that night and the last moments I had with Sam on the golf cart every day. She told me she didn’t want the night to end,” Hutchinson told the court. “I kissed her on the forehead and the next thing I remember I woke up in the hospital.”

“I wish more than anything that instead of Sam… I wish I had died that night so she wouldn’t have to go alone,” Hutchinson said.

Contributor: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY

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