Jamie Komoroski sentenced for Folly Beach DUI crash that killed new bride

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The woman accused of drunkenly crashing into a golf cart, killing a bride, and seriously injuring members of the wedding party on Folly Beach last year was sentenced during a Monday afternoon hearing in Charleston for charges related to the incident.

Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty to three counts of felony DUI and one count of reckless homicide resulting in death for the crash that killed 34-year-old Samantha Miller on her wedding night and critically injured her new husband, Aric Hutchinson.

Judge Deadra Jefferson sentenced Komoroski to 10 years for the charge of reckless homicide, 15 years for two charges of felony DUI with great bodily injury, and 25 years for the charge of felony DUI with death to be served under the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Judge Jefferson ordered Komoroski to receive jail credit for time served, including her time on house arrest, and her sentence is set to run concurrently.

Following the sentencing, Komoroski’s attorney, Chris Gramiccioni, said that although the sentencing was “at the top of the range,” they respected the sentence handed down.

“Obviously, as you can imagine, she [Komoroski] is disappointed in the verdict, but she accomplished the one goal that she wanted to accomplish throughout this entire process,” he said.

“She got to do what she wanted today, which was accept responsibility, fall on her sword cause obviously that is part of the healing not just for the families of the victims but for also her,” Gramiccioni later continued.

Folly Beach Police Chief Andrew Gilreath, the lead investigative police agency on the case, said Judge Jefferson’s ruling sent a message about the consequences of driving under the influence.

“This ruling underscores the devastating impact of driving under the influence and sends a clear message about the legal ramifications of such reckless behavior,” Chief Gilreath said.

The collision occurred on April 28, 2023, when Komoroski rear-ended a golf cart carrying Miller, Hutchinson, and two others, going 65 mph in a 25-mph zone. All four passengers were ejected.

Toxicology reports released by the State Law Enforcement Division showed Komoroski’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was more than three times the legal limit.

Both Gramiccioni and Komoroski acknowledged that Komoroski is an alcoholic and explained how she has taken steps to overcome her addiction by following the Alcoholics Anonymous program, hosting AA meetings, finding a sponsor, and helping others with their addiction.

However, Komoroski repeatedly acknowledged her fault in the incident during her address to the judge.

 “…every single decision we make has consequences, and knowing you have taken a beautiful life from this world is something I will live with every moment of every day going forward,” she said. “A life that should have lived on to fulfill all of her dreams and ambitions.”

“I want the last thing that I say to be that from the very bottom of my heart with every fiber of my being how sorry I am and that I take full responsibility for my actions,” Komoroski added.

Throughout the hearing, the judge heard from the surviving members of the crash, the victim’s family, and Komoroski’s family.

Hutchinson, who has been recovering from a brain injury and broken bones suffered in the crash, as well as numerous surgeries and post-traumatic stress disorder, recalled his final moments with his new wife.

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

Hutchinson said he saw his mother’s face after waking up in the hospital and knew that something had happened to his bride.

“I wish I had died that night so she didn’t have to go alone,” Hutchinson explained through tears.

Also injured in the crash were Benjamin Garret, Hutchinson’s brother-in-law, and his son Brogan Garrett.

Benjamin suffered severe road rash across his body, stitches, broken vertebrae in his back and neck, and an inability to walk for some time.

“She [Komoroski] will eventually get out, but the prison that she has put us in will be with us the rest of our lives,” he said. “We will never get Sam back. Our lives will never be the same.”

His son Brogan called on Judge Jefferson to bring justice for the trauma the crash has caused his family.

“I hope the court will consider the profound impact that Jamie Komoroski’s actions have had on me and my family and my future,” he said to Judge Jefferson. “I ask for accountability and justice not only for the harm done to us but to send a message that such choices have devastating and irreversible consequences.”

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