After losing his bride hours after they married, this groom made a settlement that’s raising eyebrows

Aric Hutchinson has accepted a $160,000 settlement in the final remaining lawsuit connected to the death of his wife, Samantha Miller, who was killed just hours after their wedding. The agreement brings an end to the civil cases tied to the crash that occurred on the first night of their marriage.

According to LADbible, the settlement resolves Hutchinson’s wrongful death claims against the drunk driver responsible for the crash and several South Carolina bars accused of overserving her. After attorney fees, Hutchinson will personally receive just over $104,000, and in return he has agreed not to pursue further legal action related to Miller’s death.

Hutchinson and Miller were married on April 28, 2023, in Folly Beach, South Carolina. That night, they were riding in a golf cart with two family members when a rental car slammed into them from behind at high speed. Miller died at the scene from blunt force injuries, still wearing her wedding dress.

This outcome left many people stunned

The driver, 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski, had been bar hopping before getting behind the wheel. She later pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing death, reckless homicide, and other charges, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. The criminal case concluded far earlier than the civil fight that followed, with questions about overserving and alcohol limits remaining part of the civil claims. Broader conversations about drinking behaviors and risk thresholds, such as discussions around how NHS categorize drinking habits, continue to circulate.

Hutchinson survived the crash but with life-altering injuries. He suffered broken legs, facial fractures, and a traumatic brain injury that required multiple surgeries. Furthermore, he has spoken publicly about waking up in the hospital after surgery and learning that his wife had been killed only hours after they were married.

The $160,000 settlement closes the final chapter of Hutchinson’s civil litigation. Earlier, in June 2024, he reached a separate settlement with Progressive Auto Insurance, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and several bars. That agreement totaled $1.3 million for Hutchinson, Miller’s estate, and the other injured passengers, though legal fees reduced the amount distributed to $863,300. The case was frequently referenced alongside other incidents involving alcohol service regulations and enforcement practices at bars across the country.