19 May 2023 , 21:01
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A groom whose wife was killed just hours after they were married when a suspected drunk driver smashed into them has revealed her final tragic words.
It's the first time Aric Hutchinson, 36, has spoken about the fateful evening of April 28 which saw his new bride killed while he sustained life-threatening injuries.
The couple were leaving their wedding reception in a golf cart with Aric's brother-in-law and nephew on board when they were involved in the catastrophic crash which killed Samantha 'Sam' Miller, 34.
Aric has now given his first interview about about the horrendous ordeal, sharing his recovery and how he's coping with the loss after what he said had been a perfect day.
Aric and Sam had just tied the knot in a perfect wedding day before the horrific crash (Instagram)In the interview with Good Morning America, which aired today, he said: "I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. That night, going from an all-time high to an all-time low, it's pretty rough to try to comprehend."
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Aric spoke of how the couple had been surrounded by friends and family who had travelled from across the country to be there for the big day in beautiful Folly Beach, South Carolina.
Aric spoke about the last thing he remembers Sam saying to him (Instagram)"She was so happy," he tells the TV show. "I mean, planning a wedding, as most people know, is extremely stressful. And she just had a weird, like, calmness that night."
After a perfect wedding day and reception where pictures show the couple beaming from ear to ear, they left in the golf cart.
As they were travelling to the property they had rented for their first night as husband and wife, 25-year-old Jamie Komoroski got behind the wheel of her car after an alleged day of "bar hopping".
Jamie Komoroski, 25, was more than three times the legal alcohol limit
Aric and Sam got married at Folly Beach, South Carolina (Instagram)She blew through 25mph speed limits, reaching speeds of up to 65mph before smashing into the back of the golf cart, throwing it 100 yards in the crash.
Aric sustained broken bones as well as brain bleeds and had to undergo surgeries.
Sam was pronounced dead at the scene. Aric said he doesn't remember the crash, but he does remember the last thing his new wife told him.
Aric was hospitalised with severe injuries (ABC News)"I do remember the last thing I remember her saying was she wanted the night to never end," Aric tells the interviewer, as reported by ABC News.
He said the next thing he remembered was waking up in hospital, asking "Where's Sam?"
"That's when [my mother] told me there's an incident and that Sam didn't make it," he said.
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Komoroski was arrested and charged with three counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury/death and one count of reckless homicide.
(Instagram)According to a toxicology report, her blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.
On Wednesday, May 17, Aric filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Komoroski and several bars and restaurants where she had allegedly been drinking the night of the crash.
The lawsuit alleges that she "slurred and staggered her way" through a number of bars, consuming "copious" amounts of alcohol.
The mangled wreckage (Folly Beach Police Department)Despite having filed the lawsuit, Aric said he's not ready to address Komoroski just yet. "I can't right now," he told GMA.
"I'd like to. I mean, she stole an amazing human being that should not have been taken."
RIght now, Aric is focusing on his recovery and trying to keep hold of the happy memories he has with Sam.
He's reportedly moved back into the apartment the couple shared, saying he can still feel her presence.
Sam and Aric during their beach wedding (Michael D Peifer/Facebook)
Sam and Aric dancing at their wedding (Michael D Peifer/Facebook)"It's hard, but it's also nice. It's got Sam written all over the house," he added.
"I Know she's up there watching, just laughing at me trying to get up and down these stairs because it was her decision to go to the third floor."