Drink-driver released from jail a year after killing bride on wedding day

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Jamie Komoroski, who killed a bride on her wedding day in a drink-driving accident nearly a year ago, was released on bail on Friday (Image: Folly Beach Police)
Jamie Komoroski, who killed a bride on her wedding day in a drink-driving accident nearly a year ago, was released on bail on Friday (Image: Folly Beach Police)

A drink-driver who is accused of killing a bride on her wedding day has been released from jail after footing a massive bail, it has been reported.

Jamie Komoroski, 26, reportedly paid $150,000 (£118,500) on Friday and was set free the same day, placed instead under house arrest at her home in Charleston County, South Carolina — complete with an ankle monitor, jail records and sources close to her revealed to the New York Post.

Her release comes after a judge denied her bail previously, ruling that she would not be allowed out on bond unless her trial was scheduled for March or later. It being March 1, she was allowed to pay up and spend the days waiting for her trial, which has not yet been scheduled, at her home.

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Drink-driver released from jail a year after killing bride on wedding day eiqruidetixxinvMiller (right) was killed, while her new husband Hutchinson was severely injured in the accident (ABC)
Drink-driver released from jail a year after killing bride on wedding dayHutchinson had a couple reconstructive surgeries and suffered a concussion, too (Facebook)

The 26-year-old is accused of driving her Toyota into a golf cart upon which rode Samantha Miller, 34, and her new husband, Aric Hutchinson, 36, as they departed their wedding reception at Folly Beach, a small city located on an island just south of Charleston. Miller was killed in the crash.

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Komoroski was charged with four felonies after the incident and faces up to 25 years in prison after a grand jury indicted her in September, finding that she had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .26% — more than triple South Carolina's legal limit of .08% — at the time she rammed her Camry into the golf cart.

She was charged with one count of felony DUI resulting in death, two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury and one count of reckless homicide, MailOnline reported. It's a maximum of 15 years for the DUI charge and up to 10 years for the reckless homicide charge, giving the 26-year-old the possibility of 25 years behind bars.

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Drink-driver released from jail a year after killing bride on wedding dayKomoroski was allegedly intoxicated at triple the legal limit for South Carolina (Jamie Komoroski/Instagram)
Drink-driver released from jail a year after killing bride on wedding dayKomoroski faces 25 years in prison for what happened (INSTAGRAM)

During the accident, which occurred after Komoroski had allegedly been driving 65 mph in a 25 mph zone in a poorly-lit area at around 10pm that fateful night, the golf cart was reportedly tossed about 100 yards — the length of an American football field. Miller was killed, Hutchinson suffered serious wounds, including a brain injury, and Miller's brother, Ben Garrett, was also reportedly seriously injured — he and the couple's nephew Brogan were escorting the newlyweds.

Komoroski was originally held without bail at the Al Cannon Detention Center, with the judge deeming her a flight risk. Her lawyer fought that ruling, stating that she is not, in fact, a flight risk, and that she could be released. Eventually, she was.

Chris Gramiccioni, Komoroski's attorney, told the New York Post that "Jamie is not a flight risk or danger to the community," that she's looking forward to "demonstrating her continued commitment to rehabilitation upon her pretrial release from detention." He also cited the immense support she has received from her family.

Drink-driver released from jail a year after killing bride on wedding dayThe golf cart reportedly flew around 100 yards in the accident (WCTV)

But Miller's mother, Lisa, who still grieves the loss of her daughter, has campaigned tirelessly for the 26-year-old to have "the most restrictions possible" because of the pain she allegedly inflicted on the entire family.

She told the judge during a hearing for impact statements that Komoroski "didn't just kill [her] child" — "she killed all of us." It was reported that, just after hitting the golf cart, Komoroski told responding officers: "All of a sudden, something hit me. I did nothing wrong."

Nevertheless, Komoroski is out, albeit on house arrest, and time will tell what penalties she receives during her trial — if she'll get the full 25 years or not.

Jeremiah Hassel

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