Chilling Bodycam: Woman Arrested in Deadly Folly Beach DUI Crash
New Video Released in Tragic Folly Beach DUI Case That Killed Newlywed Bride
What Happened on That Night
On April 28, 2023, a happy wedding night turned into a tragedy on Folly Beach, South Carolina. Here’s what happened in simple terms:
- Time & Place: Around 10:00 PM on East Ashley Avenue
- The Victims: Samantha Miller (the bride) and her new husband Aric Hutchinson were riding in a golf cart with two family members
- The Crash: Jamie Komoroski drove her car 65 miles per hour and slammed into the back of their golf cart
- The Result: Samantha died at the scene. Aric and two relatives were badly hurt
Important Point: This wasn’t just an accident—it was a preventable crash caused by drunk driving.
What the New Video Shows
Recently released police video shows what happened after Jamie Komoroski was arrested:
- She kept asking to call her dad – Repeatedly requested to phone her father
- She refused the breathalyzer test – Wouldn’t take the standard breath test police use to check alcohol levels
- She was taken to the hospital – Doctors drew blood for official testing instead
How Drunk Was She? (Explained Simply)
The blood test results came back: 0.261% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
What This Means: In South Carolina, the legal limit is 0.08%. She was more than THREE TIMES the legal limit!
Her Own Words to Police
- Said she had "a beer and a drink with tequila" about an hour before driving
- On a scale of 1-10 (1 = totally sober, 10 = most impaired), she rated herself an 8
The Legal Consequences
Criminal Case – COMPLETED
Jamie Komoroski pleaded guilty to:
- Felony DUI
- Two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury or death
- Reckless homicide
Sentence: 25 years in prison
Civil Lawsuit – ONGOING
Aric Hutchinson filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the bars/restaurants where Jamie drank that day:
| Business Named in Lawsuit | Status |
|---|---|
| Bottle Cap Holdings, LLC | Still named |
| El Gallo Bar and Grill | Still named |
| Snapper Jacks | Still named |
| The Crab Shack | Still named |
| The Drop-In Bar | Still named |
| Taco Boy | DROPPED (proved she wasn’t there) |
The Claim: These places kept serving her alcohol even though she was clearly drunk (called "dram shop liability").
Important Point: Taco Boy was removed from the lawsuit because evidence showed Jamie never went there that day—even though she worked there.
Timeline of Events
- April 28, 2023 – Wedding night crash occurs
- May 2023 – Blood test results released (0.261% BAC)
- December 2024 – Wrongful death lawsuit filed
- September 2025 – Taco Boy dropped from lawsuit
- December 2024 – Jamie sentenced to 25 years in prison
Why This Case Matters
This tragedy shows the real-world consequences of drunk driving:
- A young bride lost her life hours after her wedding
- A husband lost his wife and was seriously injured
- Two family members were hurt
- Multiple families changed forever
- A young woman will spend 25 years in prison
- Businesses face lawsuits for over-serving alcohol
Summary
On April 28, 2023, Jamie Komoroski drove drunk at 65 mph and crashed into a golf cart carrying newlyweds Samantha and Aric Hutchinson. Samantha died instantly. Jamie’s blood alcohol was 0.261%—over three times the legal limit. She refused a breathalyzer, admitted feeling "8 out of 10" impaired, and pleaded guilty to multiple felonies. She received a 25-year prison sentence. The husband is also suing the bars that served her alcohol that night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BAC and why does 0.261% matter?
BAC = Blood Alcohol Concentration. It measures how much alcohol is in your bloodstream. 0.08% is the legal limit in most states. At 0.261%, a person has severe impairment—trouble walking, talking, seeing, and making decisions. Driving at this level is extremely dangerous.
Why did she refuse the breathalyzer?
In South Carolina, you can refuse a breathalyzer, but there are consequences (like automatic license suspension). Police then got a warrant for a blood test, which is more accurate and harder to challenge in court.
What is a "wrongful death lawsuit"?
It’s a civil case (not criminal) where family members sue for money damages because someone’s negligence or wrongdoing caused a death. Here, the husband claims the bars should have stopped serving her alcohol.
Why was Taco Boy dropped from the lawsuit?
Evidence proved Jamie Komoroski never entered Taco Boy on the day of the crash, even though she worked there. The other bars are still being sued.
Could the bars really be held responsible?
Yes! This is called "dram shop liability." Many states have laws saying bars/restaurants can be sued if they serve alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated and that person then hurts someone. The lawsuit claims these bars kept serving Jamie even though she was clearly drunk.
This article is based on reporting from WCSC/Live 5 News. All legal outcomes are from public court records.
