A Minnesota woman who persuaded her twin sister to take responsibility for a fatal crash involving an Amish buggy has been sentenced to prison.
Samantha Peterson, 37, received a four-year prison sentence on Thursday, Oct. 16, according to KARE 11, NBC News, and CBS News.
Authorities said Samantha was driving under the influence of methamphetamine near Spring Valley on Sept. 25, 2023, when she struck a buggy carrying four passengers. The crash killed two Amish children — 7-year-old Wilma Miller and 11-year-old Irma Miller.
After the collision, Samantha called her twin sister, Sarah Peterson, to the scene and convinced her to tell police that she had been the one driving. Investigators soon uncovered inconsistencies in the sisters’ story and determined that Samantha was behind the wheel at the time of the crash.
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Samantha pleaded guilty in July to criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation, KARE 11 reported.
During her sentencing, captured by Court TV, Samantha expressed deep remorse for her actions. “I wish with everything in me that I could go back and change what happened,” she said. “My addiction took a lot from me, but it took the world from you [the victims’ family], and for that, I will never be able to forgive myself.”
She also admitted to deceiving investigators. “In fear and shame, I made terrible decisions to deceive the police and the justice system,” Samantha said. “I know my actions disrespected the officers who were simply doing their job and the court that seeks truth and justice. I am deeply sorry for that. I have learned truth and honesty must guide my life moving forward, regardless of how hard and difficult the truth may be.”
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According to CBS News, court records revealed that Samantha sent a text message on the day of the crash saying, “I hit that Amish buggy and killed two ppl […] … Made Sarah come there and take the fall for it so I wouldn’t go to prison.” Investigators also found Google searches on her phone asking, “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?”
Sarah Peterson was sentenced in March to three months in jail and four years of probation for her role in the cover-up, KARE 11 reported.
