Featured Image Credit: Annette Hutchinson/GoFundMe
Topics: Money, News, True Crime, US News, Wedding
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Money, News, True Crime, US News, Wedding
Over $500,000 has been raised for a groom whose wife was killed just minutes after the pair celebrated their wedding reception.
The newlyweds' lives changed forever when they were rear-ended by a drunk driver leaving the bride killed at scene while the groom still remains in critical condition.
The devastating event took place last Friday (28 April) and in just a couple of days, the groom's mother has managed to raise over half a million dollars to help pay for the bride's burial and medical costs for the surviving groom and his family.
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Tragic photos show the happy couple rejoicing with friends and family on their special day just moments before they were involved in a fatal car crash.
Bride Samantha Miller, 34, was killed instantly while groom, Aric Hutchinson, 36, was critically injured as Jamie Komoroski, 25, allegedly crashed into the golf cart they left their wedding reception in.
Aric's mum, Annette Hutchinson, has since started up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help cover funeral and medical costs.
She wrote on the page: "Aric lost the love of his life when my new daughter-in-law Samantha 'Sam' Hutchinson was tragically killed by a drunk driver moments after the picture above while leaving her wedding reception on April 28th in Folly Beach, South Carolina.
"My son is now in critical condition."
She went on to explain that her son-in-law, Benjamin Garrett, alongside her grandson, Brogan Garrett, were escorting the couple from the reception in a golf cart when everything took a turn for the worst.
Annette continued: "They were struck from behind by a drunk driver traveling 65 MPH in a 25 MPH zone. The golf cart was thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times."
While Sam died instantly from her injuries, Aric was left in 'serious condition'.
The heartbroken mother explained that her son has since undergone 'two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones, and a brain injury'.
At the time of writing, a staggering $573,979 has been raised out of the initial $100,000 goal.
Over 14.9k donations have been made since the page was first set up only two days ago.
Komoroski, who was driving alone in a rented Toyota at the time of the incident has since been charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm or death.
She currently remains in custody at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and is set to appear in court in June.