P76.4 million awarded in drunk driving case that killed bride and injured groom hours after their wedding
The family of the bride who got killed by a drunk driver and left her groom injured hours after their 2023 wedding has been awarded a $1.3 million (P76.4 million) settlement.
PEOPLE Magazine reported that the family of Samantha Miller and her husband Aric Hutchinson plus two others will receive $863,000 (P50.7 million) after legal fees.
A portion of the money comes from Enterprise Rental Cars, where suspect Jamie Lee Komoroski got the car, and several Folly Beach bars, which served her alcohol, before crashing into the newlyweds' car.
In a report by the Associated Press, Miller had just gotten married to Hutchinson and was leaving their wedding reception in a golf cart when Komoroski, who was over twice the speed limit, slammed into the back of their vehicle.
The collision, which happened on a beach road in South Carolina, had the golf cart being thrown over 100 yards and rolling several times, according to an online fundraiser started by Hutchinson’s mother, Annette.
Hutchinson survived, though sustained broken bones and underwent surgery at the time. Two other passengers also reportedly survived their injuries.
Komoroski's blood alcohol content exceeded three times the legal level, a toxicology report showed. She's facing charges of reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing death or great bodily injury.
Last March, Komoroski posted a $150,000 (P8.8 million) bond after she was denied bond in August 2023, according to PEOPLE.
She's under house arrest in Charleston County, and will only be allowed to leave home for medical emergencies or court orders. She's also required to wear a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring device.
