FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: A heartbroken groom has taken legal action by filing a wrongful death lawsuit on Wednesday, May 17, seeking unspecified damages against both the drunk driver responsible for his bride's death and the bars that served the suspect. The devastating incident occurred on April 28, shortly after Samantha Hutchinson, 34, and Aric Hutchinson tied the knot during their wedding at Folly Beach.
The driver, Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, was found to be three times over the legal alcohol limit when she crashed into the golf cart carrying Samantha and Aric, resulting in Samantha's immediate death and leaving Aric with severe injuries. Komoroski is facing charges of DUI involving death and reckless homicide.
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In the lawsuit filed in Charleston, Aric alleges that Komoroski engaged in "bar hopping" before getting behind the wheel. Moreover, he is suing the five bars where Komoroski allegedly consumed alcohol, claiming that they knowingly served her despite her visible signs of intoxication. Komoroski began her drinking session at El Gallo Bar and Grill near Daniel Island before proceeding to Folly Beach, where she continued to visit various establishments along Center Street, including Drop In, The Crab Shack, and Snapper Jack, as per the lawsuit.
Hutchinson's lawyers argued that the bars where she drank have "a duty of care not to allow patrons to become intoxicated, to not serve alcohol to intoxicated persons." Attorney Danny Dalton said, "The state grants restaurants and bars a license for the privilege to serve alcohol, and with that privilege comes a responsibility to the community to serve patrons responsibly and to deny service to individuals who are visibly intoxicated."
The lawsuit aims to shed light on the events leading up to the tragic crash and seek justice for Samantha's family. Dalton stated, "There are still many details we don't know about the sequence of events leading up to the tragic crash, but by filing a lawsuit, we can begin the legal discovery process that allows us to get the answers that Samantha's family deserves." The lawsuit also asserts that Komoroski was a new employee at Taco Boy, and her supervisor is accused of "organizing, arranging, and supervising an employee function knowing that excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages would be purchased for, served to, and consumed by the employees attending the function."
'I want this day to last forever!'
Komoroski was allegedly driving at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone, and her blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.261, more than three times the legal limit. The collision caused the golf cart to roll multiple times and be propelled 100 yards by Komoroski's Toyota Camry. Samantha tragically succumbed to her catastrophic injuries, while Aric, now confined to a wheelchair, sustained two broken legs, multiple facial fractures, and a concussion. During an interview, Samantha's family shared her poignant final words, which revealed her desire for the happiness of their wedding day to last forever.
Her sister Mandi Jenkins said, "She looked at him on the golf cart and said 'I want this day to last forever.'" reported The Today Show: Samantha's mother Lisa Miller recalled, "My first thought was that Sam finally has the love that she always wanted." The grieving widower, Aric, attended a memorial for Samantha held at the beach where they exchanged vows. Surrounded by friends and well-wishers, he expressed gratitude for the support received and reflected on Samantha's love for the beach. "She would've loved it. This is Sam, she's a beach girl, through and through," the widower said. "We do walk here almost every morning, and this is her send off for sure. She's up there smiling for sure."
Aric continued, "I'm feeling pretty good. My body's getting back to where I can manage. It's a little overwhelming, they're sincere, genuine, good-hearted people that are just reaching out that felt a reason to, or somehow they were touched by Sam. It just means the world. She left that impact." Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with burial and medical expenses, which has garnered over $720,000 in donations. Komoroski, who works as a logistics account executive, remains in custody at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in court in June. She could face 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 golf cart.
