A woman blamed for a fatal drunk-driving crash that left a newlywed bride on her wedding day has been charged with four felony counts in South Carolina.
Court documents filed Wednesday show a grand jury returned an indictment Sept. 12 against Jamie Lee Komoroski, charging him with driving under the influence resulting in death, two counts of DUI with great bodily injury, and reckless homicide, local WCSC reported.
The plea comes weeks after Komoroski, 25, appeared in court, sobbing as a judge denied his bond request after determining he was a flight risk.
The charges stem from an April 28 crash in Folly Beach that killed newlywed Samantha Miller, 34, and injured three others.
Authorities allege Komoroski was highly intoxicated and speeding when he crashed his Toyota Camry into the back of a golf cart carrying the bride, her new husband, Aric Hutchinson, and two wedding guests.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, was indicted by a South Carolina grand jury on charges of DUI resulting in death, two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury and reckless homicide.AP
Samantha Miller (right) was killed in an accident shortly after leaving her wedding.GoFundMe
The Coastal Carolina University graduate – whose blood-alcohol level of 0.261 was more than three times the legal limit to drive – was quoted as telling police at the scene of the death that he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
Komoroski’s defense attorneys previously asked that he be released on $100,000 bond, on the condition that he enter a substance abuse rehabilitation program, arguing that he is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk.
They also cited Komoroski’s lack of prior criminal history, and strong family support.
The horrific wreck happened on the night of April 28.Folly Beach Department of Public Safety/Prepared
Komoroski cried during a court hearing in August. FOX
Everything you need to know about the tragic death of Sam Hutchinson
Who is Sam Hutchinson?
The 34-year-old married her husband, Aric, in a heartwarming wedding that ended tragically.
Hutchinson was reportedly killed by Jamie Lee Komoroski, an alleged drunk driver, while the newlyweds were out on a golf cart shortly after their wedding.
Hutchinson was pronounced dead at the scene while her husband was hospitalized with serious injuries.
The bride’s sister, Mandi Jenkins, recalled it as the “best day” of the newlyweds’ lives.
The groom’s mother added: “Aric has lost the love of his life.”
What will happen to Jamie Lee Komoroski?
Komoroski, 25, allegedly plowed into the Hutchinsons’ golf cart while driving about 65 miles per hour, according to Folly Beach police.
The driver reportedly smelled of alcohol but refused to take a field sobriety test.
He was charged with three counts of felony DUI resulting in bodily injury or death and one count of reckless homicide.
When asked how he felt on a scale of 1 to 10 — with 10 being completely sober — Komoroski allegedly rated himself an 8, WCIV reported.
Komoroski was booked under suicide watch after telling officers he wanted to die, according to WCIV.
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But during Komoroski’s tearful Aug. 1 court appearance — attended by Miller’s mother — Judge Michael Nettles ordered him to remain in jail until the start of the trial, provided it begins on a scheduled date in March 2024.
If the trial is postponed, Komoroski can be released on a $150,000 surety bond, will be subject to electronic monitoring and placed under house arrest.
Aric Hutchinson has sued Komoroski and several Folly Beach bars for the wrongful death of his wife.WYFF
A grieving Hutchinson, 36, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Komoroski in May, claiming he had a “drink-filled day of bar hopping” before getting behind the wheel — and that four establishments he had visited in the hours before the fatal crash served “a large amount of alcohol” even though he “looked drunk”.
Komoroski’s former employer, Taco Boy, and his boss were also named in the complaint for “inviting, encouraging, pressuring, and ultimately coercing [Komoroski] to drink alcohol beyond the level of visible intoxication.”
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