Over $700,000 has been raised after a joyous wedding celebration took a heart-wrenching turn as a newlywed bride lost her life and her groom suffered severe injuries in a devastating accident.
Samantha "Sam" Hutchinson, a 34-year-old bride, had just exchanged vows with her husband-to-be Aric Hutchinson on April 28 earlier this year.
The couple's wedding ceremony unfolded against the backdrop of Folly Beach in South Carolina, surrounded by their friends and family.
As the couple departed from their wedding reception at approximately 10:00PM, they were seen beaming from ear to ear, overjoyed at the prospect of starting their new life together.
Tragically, their joyful moment was shattered when their golf cart was struck by an alleged drunk driver who was later identified as 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski.
The impact of the collision resulted in the heartbreaking loss of Sam's life, leaving Aric with multiple broken bones and severe brain trauma.
In the aftermath of this heartrending incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched with the aim of easing the financial burden of Aric's soaring medical expenses and assisting in arranging a proper farewell for his late wife.
Annette Hutchinson, Aric's mother, initiated the fundraising effort and the response from compassionate individuals has been overwhelming.
At the time of writing, $733,000 has been raised from an intended target of $100,000 with over 19,000 people flocking to offer what they can.
Annette recounted the harrowing details of the accident on the fundraising page, describing how a driver traveling at 65 MPH in a 25 MPH zone crashed into the golf cart that Aric, Sam, and two other individuals were occupying.
The impact was so severe that the cart was propelled over 100 yards, rolling multiple times. Tragically, Sam succumbed to her injuries at the scene, while Aric faced a long road to recovery.
Aric's injuries included multiple fractures, with one leg requiring surgical intervention. His facial bones also required surgical repair, alongside broken vertebrae in his back, brain hemorrhages, and numerous cuts necessitating stitches. Despite the physical pain, Aric has been bravely navigating his grief while also orchestrating the funeral arrangements for his beloved late wife.
The alleged drunk driver responsible for the tragedy was swiftly apprehended and now faces charges of DUI involving death and reckless homicide.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the driver declined to undergo a breath test and asserted having consumed only a single beer and shot of tequila, according to law enforcement reports.
We continue to wish Aric and Sam's loved ones all the best as they navigate this difficult time.
