Samantha Miller, a woman who was killed on her wedding day at Folly Beach, never expected “til death do us part” to come so soon. Unfortunately, a tragedy took her from this world only hours after she spoke her vows. Now, her heartbroken husband, Aric Hutchinson, is speaking out about the horrible incident that robbed the couple of their bright future. Aric and Samantha’s wedding day started beautifully. Her sister, Mandi Jenkins, recalled, “It was the best day of her life.”

Surrounded by family and friends at Folly Beach, SC, the couple promised to honor, cherish, and love one another for the rest of their lives. Sadly, though, the life of Samantha Miller would end only a few short hours later. A joyous wedding reception followed the beach ceremony, and then guests sent the newlyweds off in style, surrounding them with sparklers. The husband and wife hopped into a golf cart with two other family members and left the reception. It was a lovely moment for Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller.

The two thought they were now starting the rest of their lives together. They had already excitedly discussed buying a home together and starting a family. Tragically, a vehicle hit their golf cart only two blocks before Samantha and Aric made it home. The car reportedly hit the golf cart at 65 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone, with the driver allegedly at a blood alcohol level of 0.261 percent, three times the legal limit in South Carolina. The impact sent the golf cart flying, causing it to roll several times. The crash seriously injured Aric Hutchinson and his brother-in-law, Benjamin, and nephew, Brogan. As for Samantha Miller, she tragically died at the scene of the accident.

Mandi Jenkins, the sister of the woman killed on her wedding day, recalls hearing sirens as she sat outside on the balcony at the nearby place where she was staying. “We were in our pajamas sitting on the balcony… and started to hear the sirens,” she said. “And the sirens kept going.” She texted Samantha to make sure she was okay. When she got no response, Mandi and her mother, Lisa Miller, went out to investigate. And what they discovered was the worst thing they could have imagined.

Lisa recalled, “We just went down to the scene. And we just got out of the truck and just running. Screaming ‘Sam, Sam.” While Aric Hutchinson cannot remember the crash itself, he can remember the moments just before the tragedy occurred. “The last thing I remember her saying is she wanted the night to never end,” he said through tears of anguish. “That’s the last thing she said to me.” Aric came to at the hospital after the accident and immediately asked about his wife. And that’s when his mother had to tell him about the incident and her tragic death.

Aric suffered many injuries, including two broken legs and broken bones in his face and back. He’s undergone multiple surgeries. But nothing hurts as bad as losing the love of his life, Samantha Miller. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it,” he explained. “That night — going on an all-time high to an all-time low. It’s pretty rough to comprehend.” Since the accident, the family of the woman killed on her wedding day has been speaking out against drunk driving. “That person made a careless mistake. And it’s not a mistake. It is a life-changing event,” Mandi said.

As Samantha Miller’s widower, Aric Hutchinson has filed a wrongful death suit against the drunk driver and several of the establishments that continued serving her alcohol. Though justice will not bring Samantha back, it will hopefully prevent others from suffering a tragedy like this. And now, the family starts the challenging journey of moving on without their loved one. Aric and at least a hundred others gathered at Folly Beach to honor Samantha’s memory by throwing flowers into the ocean. Samantha’s name was written on each stem. And it brought Aric some comfort knowing the send-off was one that would have pleased his late wife.

“She would’ve loved it,” he said. “This is Sam. I mean, she’s a beach girl through and through. We walk here almost every morning, and this is her send-off for sure. She’s up there smiling for sure.”