Wabasha Twin Sentenced Amish Buggy Deaths

The Wabasha woman charged with lying to authorities to protect her twin sister, who was involved in a fatal Amish buggy crash, has been sentenced to 3 months in jail and four years of probation.

37-year-old Sarah Petersen took a plea deal, dropping 14 other counts in exchange for two felony counts of criminal vehicular operation.

Her twin, Samantha, faces 17 charges, including criminal vehicular homicide. Samantha’s plea hearing is in June.

In September 2023, near Stewartville, Samantha Petersen allegedly crashed her SUV into an Amish buggy while high on methamphetamine.

7-year-old Wilam and 11-year-old Irma Miller were killed, and two other siblings suffered serious injuries.

Court documents say Sarah Petersen got a call from her sister, made it to the crash before police, and told officers she was the one driving.

Photo: Fillmore County Sheriff's Office

Samantha and Sarah Peterson