Legal Battle Erupts Over Estate of Bride Who Died on Wedding Night in Alleged Drunk Driving Incident

A legal dispute surrounding the estate of a bride, Samantha Miller, who tragically lost her life on her wedding night due to an alleged drunk driving incident, has emerged, setting the bride’s mother, Lisa Miller, against the groom, Aric Hutchinson, as reported by WCSC.

Lisa Miller has contested the legality of her daughter’s marriage to Aric Hutchinson and has sought to replace Hutchinson as the representative for Samantha Miller’s estate. Hutchinson’s legal team responded on Friday, arguing that Lisa Miller lacks the standing to file the motion since she was not involved in the crash and is not the personal representative or administrator of Samantha Miller’s estate.

Hutchinson was appointed as the personal estate representative in Charleston County Probate Court on May 10. This legal challenge arises as Hutchinson’s wrongful death lawsuit against several Folly Beach bars has settled with three of the named parties.

Hutchinson’s attorneys contend that Lisa Miller does not have the authority to challenge the marriage or Hutchinson’s status as the sole beneficiary of Samantha Miller’s estate. Court documents reveal that Lisa Miller’s attorneys initially sought to join as co-counsel for the wrongful death lawsuit before threatening to contest the marriage, according to the Post and Courier.

Hutchinson, through his counsel, offered to share half of any recovery with Lisa Miller in exchange for her agreement not to challenge the marriage, but this offer was declined. Lisa Miller had previously filed and withdrawn a motion to intervene. In response, Hutchinson’s attorneys characterized Lisa Miller’s actions as “morally questionable” and “legally baseless.”

Documents accompanying the response include two affidavits filed by family members present at the wedding, confirming the completion of the marriage license on May 1, 2023, accepted by the probate court. Hutchinson and Samantha Miller were married on April 28, 2023, in Folly Beach, South Carolina.

The tragic incident occurred as the newlyweds and two others were leaving their wedding reception around 10 p.m. A grey Toyota Camry, driven by Jamie Komoroski, struck their golf cart from behind at a speed of 65 mph. Komoroski is facing charges of three counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury or death and one count of reckless homicide.

A blood toxicology report revealed Komoroski’s blood alcohol level was 0.261 on the night of the crash, more than three times the legal limit in South Carolina. Despite her attorneys’ plea for bond, Judge Michael Nettles denied the request, setting the condition that the case be tried by March 2024.

The fundraiser, created by Hutchinson’s mother, Annette Hutchinson, states that along with her son, her son-in-law Benjamin Garrett and grandson Brogan Garret were escorting the couple from the reception when Komoroski allegedly hit the golf cart at 65 miles per hour. The golf cart flipped several times after it was thrown 100 yards, Annette Hutchinson wrote.