'Drunk driver' who killed SC bride minutes after her wedding claims 'everything will work out' and 'she's not a bad person' in jailhouse phone calls with her family

The 'drunk driver' who killed a bride minutes after she tied the knot by crashing into a golf cart has said 'she's not a bad person' and 'trusts that everything will work out' despite facing up to 25 years in prison.

Jamie Lee Komoroski appears to maintain an optimistic outlook regarding her future and has said she intends to 'live [her] best life' according to jailhouse telephone calls to her sister, and reported by the New York Post. 

Komoroski, 26, has been charged with four counts in relation to the crash that killed Samantha Hutchinson, 34, in Folly Beach, South Carolina, on April 28 last year as she left her wedding reception.

The suspect was allegedly three times over the legal drink driving limit when she got behind the wheel of the Toyota Camry. 

Komoroski has been held at Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina, but was released on $150,000 bond on Friday. Her trial date has not yet been set.

In prison phone calls, drunk driving suspect Jamie Lee Komoroski could be heard sharing a positive outlook with her sister, stating everything will work out despite the severity of the situation

 Samantha Hutchinson and husband Aric are captured in a heartbreaking final picture just minutes before she was killed when a drunk driver crashed into golf cart she was riding in

In another call from last October, Komoroski could be heard crying as she spoke to her mom.

Komoroski, 26, who killed a bride minutes after she tied the knot by crashing into a golf cart can been heard expressing optimism about her future in recorded phone calls to her family while in jail

The phone calls to her sister, Kelsi, provide a glimpse into the mindset of someone who is potentially facing a long prison sentence of up to 25 years. 

'It’s so funny because when you’re in a bad situation, you’re so upset and you’re distraught, but in the future when you see your future self looking back at that time you wish you could tell yourself in that moment: "Stop freaking out, stop crying, it’s going to be ok. You’re happy now. And there’s no point being so upset. Everything is going to work out"', Komoroski said

'No matter how bad it is in the moment. It’s going to work out,' she said in a call recorded in October.

In return, Kelsi showed love and support to her sister during the call noting how  everyone has moments where they think 'it’s the end of the world,' but it never is.

'Two years down the road you’re living your best life and you’re so happy and it’s OK. You’re fine,' Komoroski said.

'You can’t control everything. It’s very peaceful to just sit there and be like "I can’t control the situation right now, all I can do is the best next thing."’

Komoroski could be heard sharing a positive outlook with her sister, stating everything will work out despite the severity of the situation. Pictured: Komoroski with boyfriend Evan Tatro

Komoroski said she hopes to be 'living her best life' within the next two years 

Komoroski has been released on a $150,000 surety bond and placed under house arrest while awaiting trial so will not be hitting the beach any time soon

Komoroski was released on Friday and is now under house arrest in Charleston County, South Carolina, equipped with an ankle monitor - less than a year after the fatal crash

Komoroski was driving at 65mph in a 25mph zone, along a poorly-lit residential street when she went into the back of the golf cart carrying Sam and her new husband Aric 

Hutchinson was left in a wheelchair after suffering two broken legs, multiple facial fractures and a concussion. He is seen here at a beachside memorial for his late bride

'Bad s*** is going to happen. It's how you handle it. It’s important to try and remember the universe is going to keep on keeping on and what’s meant to be will be.'

In another call from last October, Komoroski could be heard crying as she spoke to her mom.

'I’m not a bad person,' Komoroski insisted. 'I just want to tell everyone that I never wanted any of this,' before adding she is grateful to 'be alive'.

As part of her bail, Komoroski must wear a GPS and Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor device. She remains under house arrest in Charleston County.

She is only allowed to leave her home for medical emergencies or appearances in court. She also had to surrender her passport and is not allowed to drive.

She must also enter a substance abuse rehab program.

Komoroski was driving at 65mph in a 25mph zone, along a poorly-lit residential street around 10pm on East Ashley Avenue when she went into the back of the golf cart carrying Sam and her new husband Aric.

Komoroski is alleged to have been 'bar hopping' before getting behind the wheel 

She has been indicted on one count of felony DUI resulting in death, two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury and one count of reckless homicide in 2023

The cart was thrown 100 yards and flipped over several times, resulting in Sam's death. Aric was left with serious injuries and had two reconstruction surgeries, as well as suffering numerous broken bones and a brain injury.

Samantha and Aric were being escorted by his brother-in-law Ben Garrett and nephew Brogan when they were  hit by Komoroski. Ben was also seriously injured.

Komoroski was indicted by a grand jury in September 2023 on one count of felony DUI resulting in death, two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury and one count of reckless homicide.

Her lawyer filed an application for bail on August 2 after several months in custody, but she remained behind bars in Al Cannon Detention Center after a judge denied her bond after deeming her a flight risk.

The felony DUI charge carries a maximum 15-year penalty and she faces up to 10 years on the reckless homicide charge.

Aric filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Komoroski, seeking unspecified damages from the driver and the bars that served her.

Her blood alcohol content was 0.261 - more than three times the driving limit of .08 – and she was uncooperative with authorities when she was arrested.

In his case, filed in Charleston, Aric Hutchinson alleged that Komoroski 'bar hopped' before getting behind the wheel.

Judge Michael G. Nettles agreed to set bond if Komoroski's trial date was not set before March 1 

He is also suing the five bars she's accused of visiting, claiming they served Komoroski alcohol even though she was visibly drunk.

According to the suit, Komoroski started drinking at El Gallo Bar and Grill near Daniel Island.

She then traveled to Folly Beach, where she began bar hopping down Center Street – including the Drop In, The Crab Shack, and Snapper Jack.

Hutchinson's lawyers argued that the bars where she drank have 'a duty of care not to allow patrons to become intoxicated, to not serve alcohol to intoxicated persons.'

Komoroski, left, with her father Charles on Friday. She previously complained to him in phone calls that her life was 'over' 

Komoroski is understood to have been continuing her relationship with boyfriend Evan Tatro from behind bars

Following her arrest, she called her parents from the prison two days after the crash crying: 'Oh my God. I just can't believe this happened to me. … Why me? … I'm going to be here for years and years and years and years.'

'I can't believe this is my life… my whole life is going to be over,' she added.

In more recent phone calls she said that she was 'really happy' because Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano is 'trying to help [her] out.'

She has been accused of receiving special treatment in the jail, having in-person visits from her family – which is not a privilege normally extended to inmates.

Komoroski is now in the midst of planning her own wedding while staring down the prospect of 25 years behind bars.

'I want you to be at my wedding,' Komoroski told her father, Charles, in audio recordings released by The Charleston County Sheriff's Office.

'I want you to walk me down the aisle. I want you to be with me. I want to go on walks with you.'

It is understood that Komoroski is still dating her boyfriend Evan Tatro with the two continuing their relationship over the phone.

In a call with him she praised him for collecting her mom from the airport.

'It means a lot to me,' she told him during one call.

'I can't wait to get a hug from you, oh my gosh, you had just better wear a rain jacket,' she said, referring to how much she anticipates she will cry.

She also talked about her friendship with another inmate called Tanner, describing their games of Monopoly and how they watch 'The Vampire Diaries.'