Widowed groom says driver 'stole an amazing human being that should not have been taken'

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By James Kay

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The groom who tragically lost his wife just moments after their wedding has said that the alleged drunk driver who hit them "stole an amazing human being".

April 28 was meant to be the happiest day of 34-year-old Samantha "Sam" Hutchinson and 36-year-old Aric Hutchinson's life, but it took a tragic turn.

Shortly after leaving their wedding reception in Folly Beach, South Carolina, the golf cart that the pair were riding on was struck by an alleged drunk driver.

Sam tragically lost her life at the scene, and Aric was rushed to the hospital but has since recovered and has spoken publicly about the tragedy for the first time.

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Aric is now planning his wife's funeral. Credit: GoFundMe

The understandably heartbroken 36-year-old revealed that he and his new wife were in good spirits moments before the crash, and he is struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

The alleged drunk driver was named as 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski who was arrested and charged with DUI involving death and reckless homicide, per CNN.

In an affidavit obtained by the New York Post, police reported that Komoroski was driving at 65 mph (104 km/h), causing the golf cart to roll several times.

Aric has since pressed charges against the 25-year-old and is seeking legal action against the bars that allegedly served her alcohol that night, despite her being visibly intoxicated.

Amongst the legal battles, the grieving husband is attempting to come to terms with the events of April 28 as he spoke about his wife with Good Morning America.

Watch the interview below:

When asked whether he would like to address Komoroski, Aric said: "I can't right now. I'd like to. I mean, she stole an amazing human being that should not have been taken."

As he continues his recovery, Aric has moved back into the apartment that he shared with Sam, and he says that he can still feel her presence in their home.

"It's hard, but it's also nice. It's got Sam written all over the house," he said. "I know she's up there watching, just laughing at me trying to get up and down these stairs because it was her decision to go to the third floor."

Aric stated that his last recollection of the evening was Sam revealing to him that she never wanted the night to end, and his next memory is waking up in the hospital.

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Sam was tragically killed at the scene. Credit: GoFundMe

In the days following the crash, Annette Hutchinson, Aric's mom, set up a GoFundMe page where she revealed further details about the tragedy.

She stated that her son-in-law Benjamin Garrett and her grandson Brogan Garrett were also in the golf cart at the time, but both escaped with their lives.

Over $725,000 has been raised for Aric to cover his medical bills, with the money also being used to give Sam a proper send-off.

Following her arrest, the 25-year-old was booked on suicide watch at Charleston County jail after she reportedly told an officer that she wished to take her own life.

Our thoughts continue to be with Aric and Sam's loved ones at this difficult time.

Featured image credit: GoFundMe