Brittany Aldean Speaks Out Against Drunk Driving Following Former Classmate’s Tragic Death After Wedding Reception

Jason Aldean’s wife, Brittany Aldean is using her platform on social media to take a stand against drunk driving after hearing the news that a former classmate of hers, Samantha Miller, was killed by an alleged drunk driver. PEOPLE reported that this tragic incident took place just minutes after Samantha and her husband, Aric Hutchinson, left their wedding reception on April 28. 

Samantha and Artic were just getting ready to start their lives together as husband and wife following their South Carolina ceremony. According to a GoFundMe page created by Aric’s mother, Annette Hutchinson, the groom is still fighting for his life as he is in critical condition and “has had one of two reconstruction surgeries, numerous broken bones, and a brain injury.” 

“On what should’ve been one of the happiest days of their lives, they were hit by a drunk driver immediately following their wedding reception. Samantha passed away and her husband is now fighting for his life. I went to school with Sam, and she was such a bright light. Always sweet, happy and such a joy to be around,” Aldean wrote on her Instagram story. “This news is absolutely heartbreaking. Every prayer for their families are needed during this horrific time.”

Aldean also linked the GoFundMe page in her story and in a following post, she emphasized the danger of getting behind the wheel while under the influence. She concluded her statement by encouraging those drinking to seek out other means of transportation that will keep them and those around them out of harm’s way. 

She wrote, “There is no need to drink and drive. We have so many options these days. Uber, Lyft, taxis, friends, family. IT’S NOT WORTH IT. Not only can you ruin your life, but you put so many others at risk. Please think.”

Several of the couple’s family members have spoken out about the horrific events that have taken place. 

With tears in her eyes, Sam’s sister, Mani Jenkins shared a heartbreaking statement with NBC News, which was then aired in a segment on the TODAY show. 

“A sister, a daughter, a wife, died in her wedding dress because someone made a terrible decision,” she said before adding, “From the moment she woke up that day until she left the venue, she told Eric on the golf cart that she wanted this day to last forever. He told us that at the hospital when we saw him.”

As newlyweds were being escorted in a golf cart following their wedding reception in South Carolina, 34-year-old bride Samantha Miller was killed by an alleged drunk driver traveling 65 miles per hour. @stephgosk on the latest. pic.twitter.com/Ol31GqtL2F

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 2, 2023

Annette shared the full story on the GoFundMe page, explaining that her son-in-law, Benjamin Garrett, and grandson, Brogan Garrett, were driving the golf cart at the time of the incident and were also injured. Additionally, she shared that the drunk driver was traveling 65 MPH in a 25 MPH zone causing the golf cart to be “thrown over 100 yards and rolled several times.”

Online court records have revealed that the alleged drunk driver is Jamie Lee Komoroski. Jamie has been charged with one count of reckless homicide and three counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm.

It should have been one of the happiest days of newlywed Samantha Miller’s life. But five hours after saying “I do,” the 34-year-old bride died when she was hit by an alleged drunken driver in Folly Beach, South Carolina, as she left her wedding reception. https://t.co/bw0qnzFMV3

— CNN (@CNN) May 1, 2023

“Her blood draw results are pending. An investigation into the crash determined she was going 65 mph at the time she struck the cart,” police shared with the local Charleston news station WYFF.

“I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows. Aric has lost the love of his life,” Annette added before stating that she started this fundraiser to help with the costs of Sam’s burial and the medical bills for Aric and his family members.

At the time of publication, more than 12,000 people have donated a total of $483,761.