04 May 2023 , 15:22
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The maid of honour of a bride who was killed in a drunk driver crash just hours after getting married to the love of her life has said it was her dream wedding.
Samantha 'Sam' Hutchinson, 34, and 36-year-old Aric Hutchinson had both said 'I do' and were leaving their wedding reception in Folly Beach, South Carolina, in a golf cart when an alleged drink driver smashed into the back of them on Friday, April 28.
The driver, named as 25-year-old Jamie Komoroski, was travelling at 65mph in a 25mph zone and was drunk, according to police.
The golf cart, carrying the bride and groom along with Aric's brother-in-law Ben Garrett and nephew Brogan, was thrown 100 yards from the crash.
Now, Samantha's best friend and maid of honour, Ashley Favret, has spoken about the day which took a tragic turn "it was everything she had dreamed for that day to be," she said.
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Samantha's maid of honour, Ashley Favret, front, has spoken out about the night her best friend was killed (WBTV)
Samantha and Aric were leaving their wedding reception in a golf cart, escored by his brother-in-law and nephew when they were rear ended (Michael D Peifer/Facebook)Photos from the wedding reception show Samantha and Aric beaming as guests wave them off with sparklers as they left their reception - just moments before the fatal crash which took Samantha from her new husband.
She's heartbroken at losing her best friend of 15 years, saying she doesn't know how to live without a friend who has been a soulmate to her.
"She brought light to pretty much everywhere," Ms Favret told WBTV.
"I miss her. I don't know what I'm going to do without her."
Komoroski has been charged with three felony DUIs resulting in great bodily injury or death and one count of reckless homicide after the Toyota rental car she was driving rear ended the golf cart.
Speaking of Komoroski's actions, Ms Favret said: "It makes me angry. A stupid decision because of alcohol cost her life."
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, was arrested and charged following the crash (GoFundMe/Folly Beach Police/MEGA)
Aric's mum said her son had lost the "love of his life" (AP)Charleston County Coroner's Office confirmed Samantha, from Charleston, North Carolina, died at the scene from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash.
Aric, from Utah, has been hospitalised in a critical condition, undergoing multiple surgeries after receiving numerous broken bones and a brain injury.
Mr Garrett was also seriously injured and hospitalised, with nephew, Brogan facing injuries but being released from hospital on Friday.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Aric's mum, Annette Hutchinson, for the couple to help pay for medical expenses, along with Samantha's burial.
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Aric has been left in a critical condition following the crash (GoFundMe)She said: "Aric lost the love of his life when my new daughter-in-law Samantha "Sam" Hutchinson was tragically killed by a drunk driver moments after the picture above while leaving her wedding reception on April 28 in Folly Beach, South Carolina.
"My son is now in critical condition."
It's unclear if Aric knows yet of his wife's death.
Annette recalled the heart-breaking moment she "was handed Aric's wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows."
She went on to say: "Aric has lost the love of his life".
Samantha and Aric were seen beaming as they left their wedding reception, waved off by loved ones with sparklers (GoFundMe)When police arrived at the scene they noticed a smell of alcohol coming from Komoroski.
They described her as being unsteady on her feet, and how she "strongly refused and became uncooperative" when asked to do a sobriety test.
She claimed to have had one beer and one shot of tequila before the accident, ranking herself an eight out of ten on a scale where ten was completely sober and one was drunk when asked how sober she was.
Komoroski could face up to 25 years in prison for Samantha's death, along with a fine of up to $25,100 (£19,972).
She may also face an additional 15 years and $10,100 (£8,036) for the serious injury caused to the other men. For the reckless homicide charge she could be handed a 10 year prison sentence along with a fine of up to $5,000 (£3,978).