One twin is accused of crashing an SUV into an Amish buggy whereas beneath the affect — killing two youngsters and a horse — as damning textual content messages, Google searches and audio recordings reveal an alleged plot to trick authorities.

The incident went down again in September 2023, sparking a months-long investigation into each Samantha Jo Petersen (above proper) — who authorities now consider was driving — and sister Sarah Beth Petersen (above left) — who initially took accountability for the accident.

The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Workplace responded to the scene of a crash involving a silver SUV and an Amish buggy final fall. Among the many passengers on the horse-drawn carriage had been 4 youngsters, two of whom — 7-year-old Wilma Miller and 11-year-old Irma Miller — later died from their accidents. The horse additionally died within the crash.

Man Receives Most Sentence for Killing Lady Who Unintentionally Drove Into His Driveway

View Story

In line with the prison criticism in opposition to Samantha, a witness stated he first noticed one girl after the crash earlier than one other girl — “who appeared related” to the primary — “simply form of appeared” on the crime scene. He stated he “noticed the second woman give the primary woman a hug and heard the primary woman say that she did not see them till it was too late.”

When authorities arrived, it was Sarah who advised deputies she hit the buggy. When requested for her ID, she stated it was in a close-by black SUV — and never the silver one concerned within the crash. Sarah allegedly stated the automobile within the accident belonged to her sister, claiming she was driving it as a result of hers was within the store. The deputy famous the 2 girls “appeared extraordinarily related.”

After talking with Sarah within the squad automotive, the deputy saved his digital recorder working as he stepped away from the automobile. Per court docket docs, Sarah was heard speaking to her sister, not figuring out their each phrase was being picked up. “Through the recording, Sarah could be heard saying, ‘I believe one of many guys is onto me however I do not actually care … there isn’t any means they’d ever know the distinction between the 2 of us to allow them to’t inform,” reads the criticism.

Lady Names Suspected Killer In TikTok Video Earlier than Homicide: ‘If You Discover My Dismembered Physique …’

View Story

The apparently damning messages continued to pile up because the investigation continued.

A supervisor at an Hy-Vee the place each sisters labored stated Samantha messaged him on the day of the crash saying “that she tousled and was beneath the affect of methamphetamine on the time of the crash.” The supervisor believed Sarah took the autumn for her sister as a result of “Samantha took care of Sarah’s youngsters whereas Sarah was in jail and now, she looks like she wants to assist Samantha.”

An HR supervisor for Hy-Vee additionally obtained a name from Samantha that day, during which she allegedly stated, “I f–ked up. I simply killed two Amish folks; they had been children … I simply hit a f–king buggy and I killed two folks … I am not sober … I am excessive on meth.” The supervisor additionally offered textual content messages during which Samantha allegedly admitted to the crash.

Safety footage additionally confirmed Samantha leaving work in a silver SUV shortly earlier than the accident, with a cellular phone linked to Samantha being the one used to name 911. Throughout her name, she allegedly stated, “I did not see them developing over the hill.”

‘Cereal Killer’ Who Murdered Spouse After She Gave Start By Placing Heroin in Her Meals Loses Enchantment

View Story

A search warrant was obtained for Samantha’s dwelling, however when authorities arrived on the residence, Sarah stated her sister wasn’t there. She additionally stated she first known as Samantha after the crash and had her sister name 911, in an obvious try to elucidate her twin’s name. When authorities entered the house, they discovered Samantha contained in the residence and gave her a blood take a look at, which allegedly discovered a presence of meth, amphetamine and THC.

A social employee for Sarah’s 13-year-old daughter additionally advised authorities the woman claimed “my mother wasn’t the one which was driving” — whereas a textual content message from Samantha and somebody solely recognized as “DH” allegedly confirmed her once more admit to the crime.

After DH despatched a message studying, “This little woman was killed right now so unhappy,” Samantha replied by saying, “I do not suppose you notice that I did that … I hit that amish buggy and killed two ppl … made Sarah come there and take the autumn for it so I would not go to jail.”

Samantha’s telephone additionally had searches for, “What occurs for those who get in an accident with an Amish buggy and kill two folks,” “the way to lock an iphone cops have” and “for those who hit a buggy and kill two persons are you going to jail?”

New Particulars Emerge In Murders of TV Host & Boyfriend as Tributes Pour In for Slain Couple

View Story

Whereas neither sister has been arrested, they’ve been hit with a ton of costs.

Among the many 21 counts Samantha’s going through embody vehicular murder beneath the affect and fleeing the scene, whereas Sarah has been hit with 16 costs — together with falsely taking accountability for a criminal offense and aiding and abetting.

Talking with The Wall Road Journal, the daddy of the 2 ladies who died stated the ladies “had been serious about themselves” within the aftermath of the crash. Whereas the Amish do not consider within the prison justice system, famous the publication, he accepts the fees in opposition to the ladies.

“It was not a great scene, I am going to inform you that, whenever you see your children scattered alongside the street,” he advised WSJ.

Samantha is due in court docket on March 25, whereas Sarah will seem on April 1.

Audrii Cunningham Homicide Suspect Shocks Sheriff with Bare Jail Cell Habits

View Story