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South Carolina Woman Accused of Killing Bride in DUI Crash Is Denied Bond
Jamie Lee Komoroski was allegedly drunk when she rammed into a golf cart carrying four people, including newlywed Samantha Miller.
A South Carolina woman accused of drunkenly rear-ending a golf cart, resulting in the death of a woman leaving her wedding reception, has been denied bond.
Jamie Lee Komoroski, 25, virtually appeared in court for a Tuesday, Aug. 1 bond hearing in which Circuit Court Judge Michael Nettles denied her bail in connection to the April 28 car crash, which killed bride Samantha Miller, 34. Judge Nettles added the stipulation that Komoroski — who is charged with one count of reckless homicide resulting in death and three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury or death — will be granted a surety bond if she doesn't face trial before March 2024.
"If that does not take place, the defendant is to be released on a $150,000 surety bond, she will be subject to electronic monitoring and house arrest, she is only to leave her home for a medical emergency or a prior order of the court,” Nettles said, according to local news station WCSC. “She will also be required to wear a SCRAM monitor, which monitors the alcohol with a sensor. It’s a fairly sophisticated device and virtually impossible to tamper with.”
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Komoroski's defense team previously filed a motion for bond in May, stating that she wasn't a flight risk despite the tragic circumstances. In the motion, cited by WCSC, her lawyers describe her as a college graduate with close ties to her community.
"Since her college years, Jamie has turned to alcohol to cope with loneliness, stress, and often crippling levels of anxiety which was then untreated," the filing stated, adding that she will seek inpatient treatment if released on bail.
Samantha Miller's mother, Lisa Miller, told WCSC that Komoroski could seek treatment while in jail if she is serious about her recovery. "And why should she get out and just go about their merry way, you know?” she said.
Miller's sister, Mandi Jenkins, said that she was relieved Komoroski was denied bond. "I am so happy I could run and scream. I am crying happy tears," Jenkins said.
The family noted that they're in the process of planning a celebration of life for Miller, who was being driven via golf cart from her wedding venue on Folly Beach to the hotel when she died, still wearing her wedding gown.
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Her husband, Aric Hutchinson, was also injured in the incident, suffering a traumatic brain injury and broken bones. He is expected to recover.
Following the April 28 collision, investigators revealed that Komoroski was allegedly driving 65 mph in her rental car at the time of impact, causing the golf cart to roll several times and severely injuring all passengers. Though Komoroski purportedly refused to take a breathalyzer or field sobriety tests at the scene, officers reported a strong smell of alcohol, according to previous Oxygen.com reporting. A toxicology report by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) indicated that Komoroski's blood alcohol concentration was three times the legal limit.
Both the prosecution and defense stated that they believe they will be prepared for trial come spring 2024.
