Sarah Beth Petersen, a 35-year-old Minnesota woman, has admitted to her role in a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of two Amish children. Petersen pleaded guilty to two felony counts of criminal vehicular operation causing great bodily harm. However, these charges stem from her actions following the fatal accident, not the accident itself, which was allegedly caused by her twin sister, Samantha Jo Petersen.
The fatal accident occurred in September 2023 when Samantha Petersen’s 2005 Toyota 4Runner SUV collided with a horse-drawn carriage belonging to the Miller family, a common mode of transportation among the Amish community. The crash resulted in the deaths of two Miller children, 7-year-old Wilma and 11-year-old Irma, as well as one horse. Two other Miller children were injured but survived.
Witnesses at the scene reported unusual activity following the accident. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office, one woman was seen walking around with a cellphone. Shortly after, another woman, who bore a striking resemblance to the first, appeared on the scene. The only noticeable difference between the two women was their clothing.
The complaint further detailed that the second woman, later identified as Sarah Petersen, seemed to have arrived out of nowhere. She was seen hugging the first woman and was overheard saying that she didn’t see the carriage until it was too late.
The case took a dramatic turn when investigators discovered a series of incriminating text messages on Samantha Petersen’s cellphone. One message allegedly sent to a friend read, “Made Sarah come and take the fall for it so I wouldn’t go to prison.” Additionally, Samantha’s internet search history reportedly included queries such as “What happens if you get in an accident with an Amish buggy and kill two people” and “if you hit a buggy and kill two people are you going to prison?”
In February 2024, Samantha Petersen was charged with 21 counts, and two days later, Sarah Petersen was charged with 16 felony counts. Sarah Petersen accepted a plea deal this week, admitting in court that she lied about her involvement in the accident. She faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail and four years on probation. The remaining 14 charges against her will be dismissed.
Samantha Petersen’s fate remains uncertain. Several of the initial charges against her have been dismissed, but she still faces charges including criminal vehicular homicide, felony criminal operation, driving while impaired, and careless driving. Her trial is set to begin on July 14.