In an emotional courtroom moment, Brad Warner, father of Samantha Miller, directly addressed Jamie Lee Komoroski, the woman responsible for his daughter’s tragic death on her wedding night. Samantha was killed on April 28, 2023, when Komoroski, driving under the influence at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone, crashed into the golf cart carrying the newlyweds after their reception in Folly Beach, South Carolina.
Komoroski pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing death and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. During the sentencing hearing, Warner expressed the pain and anger that he and his family have endured since the fatal crash. Speaking directly to Komoroski, Warner said, “The rest of my life I’m going to hate you, and when I arrive in hell and you come there, I will open the door for you.”
A Family’s Devastating Loss
Samantha Miller’s wedding day was meant to be a celebration of love and joy, but it ended in heartbreak when Komoroski’s reckless actions turned the night into a nightmare. Samantha’s husband, Aric Hutchinson, who suffered severe injuries in the crash, described her as the love of his life. The couple had been married for only hours when the crash occurred.
Brad Warner described his daughter as a radiant and kind-hearted woman who brought joy to everyone she met. “She was my sunshine, and now that’s gone. We’ll never hear her laugh again, never see her smile,” he said. “You didn’t just take away her life; you took away a piece of all of us.”
The Courtroom’s Emotional Impact
Komoroski, who had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit at the time of the crash, appeared visibly shaken during the hearing. She addressed the court with a tearful apology, stating, “I never intended for any of this to happen. I am so sorry.”
Her words, however, did little to ease the anger of the Miller family. “An apology doesn’t bring her back,” Warner responded. “Your choice to drink and drive took her away from us forever.”
A Husband’s Heartbreak
Aric Hutchinson, who was left with severe brain trauma and multiple broken bones, also spoke during the hearing. “Her last words to me were, ‘I don’t want this night to end,’” he recalled. “And then it did, in the worst way imaginable.” Hutchinson expressed his grief and survivor’s guilt, stating, “There are days I wish I had gone with her. This pain is unbearable.”
A Call for Accountability
Warner’s statement to Komoroski reflects the depth of the family’s grief but also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of drunk driving. “You made a choice that night, and it was the wrong one. And now we’re all paying the price,” he said.
The courtroom was filled with tears as family members shared their memories of Samantha and the void left by her absence. The sentencing brings a sense of closure to the legal proceedings, but for the Miller family, the emotional scars remain.
Moving Forward
As the Miller family and Hutchinson continue to mourn, they have vowed to honor Samantha’s memory by advocating for greater awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. “If her death can save even one life, then maybe some good can come from this tragedy,” Warner concluded.
Komoroski’s 25-year sentence serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact of impaired driving, but for the Miller family, no punishment can ever truly bring justice for the loss of their beloved Samantha.