MINNESOTA WOMAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR DEADLY BUGGY CRASH
A Minnesota woman, Samantha Peterson, was sentenced to four years in state prison for a 2023 buggy crash that resulted in two fatalities.
According to the Minnesota District Court, Judge Jeremy Clinefelter also ordered Peterson to pay nearly $40,000 in restitution during her sentencing on Thursday. Peterson pleaded guilty in July to criminal vehicular homicide and operation under the influence.
Authorities reported that on September 25, 2023, Peterson was driving under the influence of methamphetamine when she rear-ended a horse-drawn buggy in Spring Valley. Two girls, ages 7 and 11, died, while two other siblings sustained injuries.
Investigators alleged that Peterson conspired with her twin sister, Sarah, to shift blame for the crash. Evidence, including cellphone data and location tracking, confirmed that Samantha was the driver at the time of the accident.
Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge emphasized the importance of caution on shared roadways, stating, “Drivers must be extra careful…especially around the Amish community.”
During the sentencing, Peterson expressed remorse, saying, “I wish with everything in me that I could go back and change what happened.” Sarah Peterson had been charged earlier and has served her sentence for her role in the incident.
Joe Kottke contributed.