A drunk driver who killed a bride on her wedding day has made a startling request.
On December 2, Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty to two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury and one count each of felony DUI resulting in death and reckless homicide resulting in death after she hit a golf cart on which Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson were traveling on the way home from their wedding reception.
The pair had just left the venue after celebrating such a special night in South Carolina last year when the now 27-year-old plowed into them, killing Miller and injuring Hutchinson.
Komoroski was driving at 65 miles per hour and was three times over the legal limit, and has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the crime.
She also gave a statement to the court earlier this month before breaking down in tears as she received her sentence.
“On the night of April 22, 2023, I chose to drink and drive which resulted in the death of Samantha Miller,” Komoroski told the court. “This is the worst decision I have ever made in my life. Due to my poor decisions a beautiful wife, sister and mother was taken… all I can say is how incredibly remorseful I am.”
Komoroski also apologized to the family and said she will always be embarrassed by her actions.
“I want them to know how sorry I am for the bottom of my heart and that I take full responsibility for my actions. I will always be devastated, deeply ashamed and terribly sorry for what I have done,” she said.
Her legal team is now arguing for a more lenient punishment via a 77-page filing to Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Deadra L. Jefferson, citing other similar cases in the area that received sentences ranging from nine to 18 years.
Her attorneys emphasized that “the gravity of the offense was severe” but added that the judge failed to consider other mitigating aspects, such as her lack of criminal history and guilty pleas which saved Miller’s family from having to go to trial.
They also argued that Komoroski had shown “unequivocal acceptance of responsibility for her actions” and had a known struggle with alcohol abuse.
It was also added that her “genuine remorse” should be taken into consideration, adding that intense media scrutiny may have influenced the sentence that was handed out.
“These other cases likely did not garner the same degree of media attention; however, the significant media interest cannot serve as an aggravating factor justifying a longer sentence,” the motion read.
Hutchinson was also in attendance during the court case.
