Current:Home > reviews$1.3 million settlement awarded in suit over South Carolina crash that killed bride, injured groom -Visionary Wealth Guides
$1.3 million settlement awarded in suit over South Carolina crash that killed bride, injured groom
View
Date:2025-04-15 07:35:20
A South Carolina judge approved just over $1.3 million in a partial settlement in the wrongful death case of a bride killed by a suspected drunk driver just hours after being married.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, drove her rental car into the golf cart holding Samantha Miller, 34, and her groom, Aric Hutchinson, killing the bride and injuring him hours into their "perfect" wedding day on April 28, 2023 near Charleston. Authorities said Komoroski was driving 65 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone.
Komoroski was charged on Sept. 12 with felony driving under the influence resulting in death, reckless homicide and two counts of felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury. She was released on bond in March and her criminal case is still pending.
Three others in the golf cart, including the groom, were injured. Hutchinson said he had a brain injury and numerous broken bones in a GoFundMe page created by the groom's mother.
Hutchinson sued Komoroski, whose blood alcohol content was "0.261, more than three times the legal limit," according to a toxicology report released by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division. Included in the wrongful death lawsuit were bars that served her alcohol and Enterprise, the car company that rented her the vehicle and numerous restaurants and bars that served Komoroski on the night of the accident.
El Gallo Bar & Grill, Snapper Jacks, The Drop In Bar & Deli and The Crab Shack all either allowed her to become intoxicated or continued selling alcohol when she had already grown far too drunk, according to the initial lawsuit, which was filed in October.
That complaint also accuses Taco Boy, Komoroski's employer, of negligence and recklessness for serving "a dangerous amount" of alcohol at a work event. The restaurant has denied there was an officially sanctioned work event and it is not named in the settlement.
The judge ordered the following businesses to pay $1.379 million to Hutchinson, who, as the husband of Samantha Miller for a few hours, is the personal representative of her estate:
- The Crab Shack, $640,000
- The Folly Deli, $320,000
- Beach Front Bars/Snapper Jacks, $320,000
- Progressive Northern Insurance Company, $75,000
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car, $24,000
Komoroski was named in the lawsuit but was not part of the settlement.
Caitlin O'Kane contributed reporting.
- In:
- South Carolina
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at [email protected]
veryGood! (13)
Related
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Fire destroys part of Legoland theme park in western Denmark, melting replicas of famed buildings
- Key Republican calls for ‘generational’ increase in defense spending to counter US adversaries
- Palestinian prime minister visits Madrid after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognize Palestinian state
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized a Palestinian state. Here's why it matters.
- Chinese national charged with operating 'world’s largest botnet' linked to billions in cybercrimes
- Stock market today: Asian shares track Wall Street’s retreat
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Sweden seeks to answer worried students’ questions about NATO and war after its neutrality ends
Ranking
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Dangerous weather continues to threaten Texas; forecast puts more states on alert
- US economic growth last quarter is revised down from 1.6% rate to 1.3%, but consumers kept spending
- Cassie supporters say Diddy isn't a 'real man.' Experts say that response isn't helpful.
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- American Airlines hits rough air after strategic missteps
- Prosecutor drops all charges filed against Scottie Scheffler in PGA Championship arrest
- Lab-grown meat isn’t on store shelves yet, but some states have already banned it
Recommendation
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
Palestinian prime minister visits Madrid after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognize Palestinian state
Takeaways from The Associated Press’ reporting on seafarers who are abandoned by shipowners in ports
Haiti's transitional council names Garry Conille as new prime minister as country remains under siege by gangs
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Plaza dedicated at the site where Sojourner Truth gave her 1851 ‘Ain’t I a Woman?’ speech
Google to invest $2 billion in Malaysian data center and cloud hub
Nigeria’s new anthem, written by a Briton, sparks criticism after a contentious law is passed