Driver charged in fatal Amish buggy crash tried to have twin sister take fall

FILLMORE COUNTY, Minn. (KTTC/Gray News) – The driver accused of hitting an Amish buggy, resulting in the death of two children, allegedly tried to get her sister to take the blame.

Samantha Petersen has been charged with 21 counts, including criminal vehicular homicide, in connection to the crash that took place on Sept. 25, 2023.

Petersen was found to have methamphetamine, amphetamine, Delta-9 THC, and the metabolite of Delta-9 THC in her blood after a blood test, according to a criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint reported an SUV, traveling between the speeds of 63 and 71 mph, rear-ended the buggy on Filmore County Road 1, in an area where the speed limit is 55 mph.

Seven-year-old Wilma Miller and 11-year-old Irma Miller were killed in the crash. A nine-year-old and a 13-year-old were also injured in the crash, but have since recovered.

Police believe Petersen attempted to get her twin sister to take the fall at the scene of the crash by having her switch clothes.

Investigators reviewed searches of Petersen’s phone, which found a search of “What happens if you get in an accident with an Amish buggy and kill two people,” according to court documents. She had also texted several people that she was involved in the crash, according to those documents.

Petersen has not yet been arrested but her first court date is scheduled for March 25.

No charges have been filed against her sister.

Attempts by KTTC to contact Petersen were unsuccessful. According to a family acquaintance, both sisters live in the same home.

Copyright 2024 KTTC via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.