Current:Home > Stocks$1.3 million settlement awarded in suit over South Carolina crash that killed bride, injured groom -Finovate
$1.3 million settlement awarded in suit over South Carolina crash that killed bride, injured groom
View
Date:2025-04-17 09:09:44
A South Carolina judge approved just over $1.3 million in a partial settlement in the wrongful death case of a bride killed by a suspected drunk driver just hours after being married.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, drove her rental car into the golf cart holding Samantha Miller, 34, and her groom, Aric Hutchinson, killing the bride and injuring him hours into their "perfect" wedding day on April 28, 2023 near Charleston. Authorities said Komoroski was driving 65 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone.
Komoroski was charged on Sept. 12 with felony driving under the influence resulting in death, reckless homicide and two counts of felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury. She was released on bond in March and her criminal case is still pending.
Three others in the golf cart, including the groom, were injured. Hutchinson said he had a brain injury and numerous broken bones in a GoFundMe page created by the groom's mother.
Hutchinson sued Komoroski, whose blood alcohol content was "0.261, more than three times the legal limit," according to a toxicology report released by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division. Included in the wrongful death lawsuit were bars that served her alcohol and Enterprise, the car company that rented her the vehicle and numerous restaurants and bars that served Komoroski on the night of the accident.
El Gallo Bar & Grill, Snapper Jacks, The Drop In Bar & Deli and The Crab Shack all either allowed her to become intoxicated or continued selling alcohol when she had already grown far too drunk, according to the initial lawsuit, which was filed in October.
That complaint also accuses Taco Boy, Komoroski's employer, of negligence and recklessness for serving "a dangerous amount" of alcohol at a work event. The restaurant has denied there was an officially sanctioned work event and it is not named in the settlement.
The judge ordered the following businesses to pay $1.379 million to Hutchinson, who, as the husband of Samantha Miller for a few hours, is the personal representative of her estate:
- The Crab Shack, $640,000
- The Folly Deli, $320,000
- Beach Front Bars/Snapper Jacks, $320,000
- Progressive Northern Insurance Company, $75,000
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car, $24,000
Komoroski was named in the lawsuit but was not part of the settlement.
Caitlin O'Kane contributed reporting.
- In:
- South Carolina
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com
veryGood! (43)
Related
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- 'Wait Wait' for December 9, 2023: With Not My Job guest Fred Schneider
- Israel presses on with Gaza bombardments, including in areas where it told civilians to flee
- Expert witnesses for Trump's defense billed almost $900,000 each for testifying on his behalf at fraud trial
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Arkansas will add more state prison beds despite officials’ fears about understaffing
- Two Indiana police officers are acquitted of excessive force in 2020 protesters’ arrests
- A British Palestinian surgeon gave testimony to a UK war crimes unit after returning from Gaza
- Sam Taylor
- Tomb holding hundreds of ancient relics unearthed in China
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Tomb holding hundreds of ancient relics unearthed in China
- Tensions are soaring between Guyana and Venezuela over century-old territorial dispute
- 8 last-minute dishes to make for a holiday party — and ones to avoid
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Organizers of COP28 want an inclusive summit. But just how diverse is the negotiating table?
- Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles FC MLS Cup 2023: Live stream, time, date, odds, how to watch
- AP PHOTOS: Moscow hosts a fashion forum with designers from Brazil, China, India and South Africa
Recommendation
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
How Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice and More Bravo Stars Are Celebrating the 2023 Holidays
A woman is charged with manslaughter after 2 sets of young twins were killed in a 2021 London fire
Israel presses on with Gaza bombardments, including in areas where it told civilians to flee
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Abortion delays have grown more common in the US since Roe v. Wade was overturned
Arkansas will add more state prison beds despite officials’ fears about understaffing
Bo Nix's path to Heisman finalist: from tough times at Auburn to Oregon stardom