A drunk driver was sentenced to over two decades in prison after being convicted for an incident that killed a woman on her wedding day.
Jamie Lee Komoroski was sentenced on December 2 to 25 years in jail for smashing into a couple who had just gotten married earlier in the day.
Aric Hutchinson and his wife Samantha Miller had left their reception in Folly Beach, North Carolina, in a golf cart when Komoroski struck the vehicle going at 65 mph back in April 2023.
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Komoroski was sentenced to 25 years for DUI causing Samantha's death, as well as 15 years for DUI causing Hutchinson's injuries and 10 years for reckless homicide. Her sentences will run concurrently.
Jamie Lee Komoroski makes tearful statement to court
Komoroski broke down in tears as she received her sentence and also stood up and gave a statement to the courtroom.
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She said: “On the night of April 22, 2023, I chose to drink and drive, which resulted in the death of Samantha Miller.
“This is the worst decision I have ever made in my life.
“Due to my poor decisions, a beautiful wife, sister, and daughter was taken," she said. “All I can say is how incredibly remorseful I am."
“I want them to know how sorry I am from the bottom of my heart and that I take full responsibility for my actions.
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"I will always be devastated, deeply ashamed, and terribly sorry for what I have done.”
Samantha Miller's tragic final words to husband
Aric was also in attendance and expressed how deeply saddening and difficult this whole tragedy had made his life, giving heartbreaking details about his wife’s final words to him.
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Speaking in the courtroom while fighting back tears, he said: “She said she didn't want the night to end, I kissed her on the head, the next thing I knew I woke up in hospital.”
He also spoke of his own struggles in recovering as he was left with life-altering injuries as a result of the crash.
Speaking about his own wellbeing, he said: “I've seen more doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists than I can count, and I still feel the same as I did when I found out that day.
“I wish I had died that night. I wish I had seen it coming. I'd have jumped off the golf cart so that you'd only have run me over.
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“We did not get hit, we got ran through at 65mph.”
Gerrard Kaonga