Deadly Amish Buggy Crash: Possible Plea Deal for Twin Sister

Preston, MN (KROC-AM News) - It appears a plea agreement could soon be announced for the twin sister of the woman accused of driving impaired and killing two children in a traffic crash involving an Amish buggy near Stewartville last year.

Fillmore County Attorney Brett Corson today filed a request for a continuance in Fillmore County Court. The document requests that a court hearing scheduled on Monday be delayed because the two sides are "close to a resolution of the case and working out some details for the settlement."

Get our free mobile app

36-year-old Sarah Beth Petersen, who now lives in Wabasha, faces 16 felony charges connected to the crash on Fillmore County Road 1 east of Stewartville in late September of last year. The charges include multiple counts of aiding and abetting criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation.

It is alleged that she conspired with Samantha Petersen to deceive investigators into believing that she was behind the wheel of the SUV that collided with the buggy while it was transporting for children to their rural school. 7-year-old Wilma and 11-year-old Irma Miller were killed in the crash and two other siblings suffered serious injuries.

Samantha Petersen faces a total of 20 charges in connection with the deadly crash that include multiple counts of criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation. She also faces DWI charges and several misdemeanor traffic citations. It is alleged that she was impaired by drugs when the crash occurred.

An evidentiary hearing was recently held in her case, during which she challenged some of the evidence gathered by investigators to support the charges. The Fillmore County judge presiding over the case has taken the issues under advisement.

More Minnesota News:

• NYPD Releases Photos of Suspect For UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder
• Minnesota Father Imprisoned After Toddler Fatally Shoots Friend
• Fake Vendor Accused of Ripping Off Rochester Business