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4th May 2023
12:24pm BST
More than $630,000 (£501k) has been raised for a man whose wife was killed moments after their wedding when an alleged drunk driver struck the couple.
After having their first dance, Aric Hutchinson and Samantha Miller, climbed into a golf cart in Folly Beach, South Carolina, near their reception, when tragedy struck.
The gold cart, fitted with a 'just married' sign, was allegedly struck by a drunk driver. The vehicle was reportedly thrown 100 yards and flipped several times.
Samantha, 34, died at the scene. Aric is in a serious condition in hospital and, according to a fundraising page, has undergone one of two reconstruction surgeries. The 36-year-old has numerous broken bones, and a brain injury, he will have a long recovery, the page reads.
Police said 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski was driving and had been arrested for DUI.
The Associated Press reported that he was travelling at 65mph at the time of the crash. The speed limit in the area was 25mph.
Aric's mother, Annette Hutchinson, has since launched a Gofundme page to help support her son during his recovery.
As of midday on Thursday, $633, 584 had been raised.
Annette explained in the post that her son "lost the love of his life when my new daughter-in-law Samantha ‘Sam’ Hutchinson was tragically killed by a drunk driver moments after the picture above while leaving her wedding reception".
Annette said she was given 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."
She explained that the fundraiser, that set a goal of $100,000, would help pay for Sam's burial and Aric's medical costs.
One person donated $10,000.
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