A tragic incident on a wedding night in South Carolina has led to a legal dispute between the groom and his mother-in-law over control of the deceased bride’s estate. The groom, Aric Hutchinson, is now facing opposition from Lisa Miller, the mother of 34-year-old Samantha Miller, who is even questioning the validity of the couple’s hours-old marriage. The bride lost her life in April when their golf cart was struck by a suspected drunken driver as they left their wedding reception on Folly Beach.
According to reports, Jamie Lee Komoroski, a 25-year-old from New Jersey, had consumed alcohol before the collision. Komoroski, who allegedly drove her rental car at a speed of 65 mph (twice the legal limit on the island), crashed into the couple’s golf cart. Samantha Miller was killed instantly, while Aric Hutchinson sustained serious injuries.
Months after the tragedy, Lisa Miller filed a petition to remove Hutchinson as the personal representative of her daughter’s estate. She argues that her daughter would have wanted her to receive a share of the inheritance. Miller expressed her disappointment in Hutchinson’s actions, claiming that he has been dishonoring her daughter’s wishes.
Hutchinson’s attorney, Patrick Wooten, countered Miller’s claims, stating that his client has been generous towards his mother-in-law. Wooten also mentioned that Hutchinson had offered Miller half of any potential recovery in a wrongful death lawsuit if she ceased challenging the validity of the marriage. However, Miller’s attorney, Jerry Meechan, dismissed the offer as a “money grab.”
Komoroski, the alleged drunken driver, is facing charges of reckless vehicular homicide and felony driving under the influence. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against her, as well as four bars that are accused of over-serving her on the night of the incident.
The legal battle between Hutchinson and Miller continues, with both parties seeking control over Samantha Miller’s estate. The tragic circumstances of the wedding night crash have now taken a contentious turn as the grieving groom and his mother-in-law dispute the future distribution of the deceased bride’s assets.
