Samantha Miller death: Groom Aric Hutchinson clashes with mother-in-law over estate following fatal wedding night crash
FOLLY BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA: Groom Aric Hutchinson whose bride Samantha Miller lost her life in a suspected drunken driving accident on their wedding night is now entangled in a legal dispute with his mother-in-law, Lisa Miller.
She has criticized the situation, referring to it as a "money grab," as they clash for control over his deceased wife's estate.
Drunk driver crashes into groom and bride on their wedding day
The fatal incident occurred on April 28, when the newlyweds were leaving their Folly Beach wedding reception in a golf cart. Tragically, a collision with a gray Toyota rental driven by 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski resulted in Samantha's death.
Komoroski, reportedly intoxicated, crashed into the couple's golf cart at an alarming speed of 65 mph, twice the legal limit on the island near Charleston.
The suspect faces charges of reckless vehicular homicide and three counts of felony driving under the influence. A wrongful death lawsuit implicates her and four bars accused of over-serving Komoroski on the fateful night she allegedly drove under the influence.
Lisa Miller challenges Aric Hutchinson's role in Samantha's estate
Months after the tragic incident, Lisa is contesting Hutchinson's role as the personal representative of her daughter's estate. She has filed a petition, claiming that Samantha would have wanted her to receive a share of the inheritance.
"Aric and I agreed several times that Sam would want us to do everything together given we’re the two most important people in her life," she said.
Lisa said, "I never wanted to challenge the validity of the marriage. I never wanted to dishonor Sam. But I feel like Aric is dishonoring my daughter in going against her wishes."
Hutchinson's attorney, Patrick Wooten, defended his client, stating that he has been "more than generous" with Lisa and offered her "half of the money."
"She has repaid him by threatening to bring a frivolous challenge to the validity of his marriage to Sam," attorney Wooten said. "One would hope that Ms Miller would have too much respect for her own daughter to do that."
Aric Hutchinson offers mother-in-law compromise amid swift capitalization on tragedy
The legal dispute escalated as Hutchinson allegedly moved swiftly to capitalize on the tragedy. In response, he offered Lisa half of any recovery in a potential wrongful death lawsuit if she ceased challenging the marriage's validity.
Wooten clarified that this offer was not an acknowledgment of Lisa having any valid legal claim but a gesture to "avoid painful, public litigation," as per Fox News.
Lisa's attorney, Jerry Meechan, countered that her primary motive is to protect Samantha's estate and its rightful heirs. He accused Hutchinson of rushing the process for financial gain, labeling it a "money grab from minute one."
