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'I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag' | North Carolina bride dies after DUI suspect slams into golf cart

Samantha Miller, 34, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died in the wreck just hours after getting married.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. — A bride who had just got married was killed when a woman driving under the influence and well over twice the speed limit slammed into the back of a golf cart on a South Carolina beach road, authorities said.

The newlyweds were being escorted from the reception in a golf cart when they were slammed from behind by the drunk driver.

Data retrieved from Jamie Lee Komoroski’s rental car indicated she was driving 65 mph (105 kph) and only briefly hit the brakes before she hit the golf cart around 10 p.m. Friday on Folly Beach, investigators said.

The speed limit on the island near Charleston is 25 mph (40 kph).

According to a fundraiser made by family, the golf cart was thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times. 

Samantha Miller, 34, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died in the wreck, according to the Charleston County Coroner’s Office.

The groom, Aric Hutchinson, is in critical condition according to the fundraiser. Two others, Benjamin Garrett and Brogan Garrett, were also injured in the accident, according to the fundraiser.

Miller had just got married, Folly Beach Public Safety Department Director Andrew Gilreath said.

Gilreath said the golf cart had lights and was legal to drive at night.

Hutchinson sustained a brain injury, broken bones, and has endured one of two reconstruction surgeries, according to the fundraiser.

"I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows," wrote his mother, Annette Hutchinson, on the fundraiser page. "Aric has lost the love of his life."

Komoroski, 25, is charged with reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of driving under the influence causing death. She faces one to 25 years in prison on each DUI count.

Komoroski remained in the Charleston County jail Monday afternoon and records did not indicate if she had a lawyer.

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