CBS News
Woman accused in DUI crash that killed bride on wedding night pleads guilty
A woman accused in a DUI crash that killed a bride on her wedding night and injured three others, including the groom, pleaded guilty to multiple charges Monday afternoon.
CBS affiliate WCSC-TV reports that Jamie Lee Komoroski pleaded guilty to a charge of felony DUI, two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury or death and one count of reckless homicide.
On the night of April 28, 2023, authorities said Komoroski was behind the wheel of a rental car that rear-ended a golf cart carrying newlyweds Samantha Miller and Aric Hutchinson in Folly Beach, a city located on Folly Island southeast of Charleston. They had been married just hours earlier, and Miller was still in her wedding dress.
/ AP
Miller died in the crash and Hutchinson suffered a brain injury and numerous broken bones. Two other family members riding in the golf cart were also injured.
Authorities said Komoroski was driving 65 mph in a 25 mph zone.
Komoroski told the court Monday she was guilty, was not coerced into entering the guilty pleas and was waiving a jury trial to which she would be entitled, WCSC reported.
In June, a judge approved over $1.3 million in a partial settlement in a wrongful death case after Hutchinson sued Komoroski, whose blood alcohol content was “0.261, more than three times the legal limit,” according to a toxicology report released by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division. Included in the wrongful death lawsuit were Enterprise, the car company that rented her the vehicle, and numerous restaurants and bars that served Komoroski on the night of the accident.
Cara Tabachnick and
contributed to this report.
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
If you’re a homeowner, you may have access to a large sum of money that can be accessed via a much lower interest rate than many popular alternatives. Right now, the average homeowner has around $320,000 worth of equity in their home. And that money can be accessed in a variety of simple ways ranging from reverse mortgages to home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to home equity loans. Home equity loans, in particular, are especially attractive for owners right now.
The average home equity loan interest rate is just 8.41% right now – almost three times lower than the average credit card interest rate of 23.37%. And that rate is fixed, meaning that it won’t adjust upward if the rate climate heats up again. If the rate climate cools, however, it can be refinanced to take advantage of a better rate. So while the benefits of using a home equity loan in today’s economic climate are clear, the purposes for doing so may not be for many. To that end, below we’ve gathered three reasons why you should consider getting a home equity loan for 2025.
Start by seeing how low of a home equity loan rate you could lock in here.
Why you should get a home equity loan for 2025
Not sure if a home equity loan makes sense for you heading into the new year? Here are three reasons why you should consider using this unique funding source for 2025:
To purchase a second home
Many mortgage lenders prefer you to have a 20% down payment on any home you want to purchase. And that figure could be difficult to come by without accessing your existing home equity. But by applying for a home equity loan to purchase a second home, you may be able to qualify with ease. This second home can then be flipped for a profit, post-renovation or simply used as a rental, amid other popular uses. Still, using your current home as a funding source to buy another one requires a delicate balance. So consider speaking to a home equity loan lender or financial advisor to better determine if this is the right move for you going into 2025.
See how much equity you can access with a home equity loan online now.
To consolidate high-interest credit card debt
Today’s average credit card interest rate is the highest it’s ever been. So if you can consolidate your high-rate credit card debt with a home equity loan, it may make sense to do so. With the average credit card debt hovering near $8,000 right now – before an expected increase in holiday spending – it makes sense to apply now. It can take weeks to have your home equity loan funds disbursed so by shopping around for lenders and rates in December, you can potentially start using your home equity in January to make a dent in your credit card debt.
To boost your home’s value
Certain home projects, like ones highly specific to your fashion sense, are unlikely to boost your home’s value. Others, however, like kitchen and bathroom renovations and new landscaping, can. So consider using a home equity loan for the latter type in 2025. Not only can this potentially raise your home’s estimated value, but you also may qualify to deduct the interest paid on the loan when you file your tax return in 2026.
“Interest on home equity loans and lines of credit are deductible only if the borrowed funds are used to buy, build, or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan,” the IRS says. “The loan must be secured by the taxpayer’s main home or second home (qualified residence), and meet other requirements.”
The bottom line
The potential uses for a home equity loan are vast. Like any other borrowing option, however, there are better ways to use this financing source than others, particularly considering the risk of using your home as collateral in these exchanges. Using the funds to purchase a second home, to consolidate today’s high-rate credit card debt or to simply boost your home’s current value could all be smart choices in 2025. By using a home equity loan for these reasons in the new year, you could set yourself up for financial success in 2025 and in the years that follow.
Get started with a home equity loan now.