At the Sentencing Hearing: "I Will Live in Regret for Life"
A shocking incident occurred in the United States where a woman driving under the influence crashed into a newlywed couple who had just finished their wedding ceremony, resulting in death. The woman was ultimately sentenced to 25 years in prison.
According to foreign media reports including the AP on the 2nd (local time), last April in Folly Beach, South Carolina, the groom Aric Hutchison (34) and the bride Samantha Miller (34), who were moving to their accommodation after their wedding reception, were recently involved in a traffic accident. The bride died at the scene, and the groom was taken to the hospital but suffered brain damage and multiple fractures, falling into critical condition before barely surviving.
The groom Eric Hutchinson and the bride Samantha Miller returning after the wedding reception. The bride Miller passed away at that time. GoFundMe capture
The vehicle that caused the accident was driven by Jamie Lee Komoroski (25). According to local police investigations, Komoroski was intoxicated at the time of driving. Her blood alcohol concentration was 0.26%, three times the legal limit, and even after causing the accident, she was unable to regain composure and could not stand without police assistance. At the time of the accident, she was speeding at 65 miles per hour (95 km/h), far exceeding the speed limit of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h).
At the trial held that day, Komoroski admitted to her crime, saying, "I feel tremendous shock, deep shame, and remorse," and "I wish I could undo this terrible tragedy, but I cannot. I will live with intense regret for the rest of my life." She added, "I promise to dedicate the rest of my life to helping alcoholics and warning about the dangers of drunk driving."
On the 2nd (local time), at the sentencing hearing held at the Charleston County Court in the United States, Jamie Lee Komoroski, who is charged with serious bodily injury due to drunk driving, is shedding tears while listening to the family of the deceased victim Samantha Miller. Photo by AP Yonhap News
The court recognized Komoroski's charges of causing serious bodily injury and homicide due to drunk driving, sentencing her to 15 years and 10 years in prison for each charge respectively. In total, Komoroski will serve 25 years in prison.
After the trial, groom Hutchison appeared on the American ABC broadcast 'Good Morning America' and recalled, "The last words I remember from my wife were, 'I hope tonight never ends.'"
It was reported that Hutchison received a total legal settlement of $863,000 (approximately 1.21 billion KRW) from Komoroski's insurance company, the company that lent her the vehicle, and the three bars that sold her alcohol.
Additionally, upon hearing about his tragic accident, his mother posted their story on the global fundraising site 'GoFundMe' to raise surgery costs, and donations quickly poured in from around the world, raising $630,000 (approximately 830 million KRW) in no time.
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