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After a fatal Amish buggy crash identical twin sisters traded places – and blame for the crime, sheriff says
FILLMORE COUNTY, Minn. — A 35-year-old southeastern Minnesota woman faces over a dozen charges for allegedly trying to take the blame for her twin sister in a fatal Amish buggy crash.
Sarah Peterson was charged Wednesday with 16 felonies, including criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation and aiding an offender, according to court documents. All 16 charges indicate that Sarah Peterson tried to conceal or take responsibility for her identical twin sister’s criminal acts.
Earlier this week, Sarah Peterson’s sister, Samantha Peterson, was charged with 21 felonies, including criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation, driving under the influence, failure to provide proof of insurance, careless driving and speeding.
Samantha Peterson was allegedly high on meth when she crashed into an Amish buggy last September. There were four children in the buggy. Two of the children, ages 7 and 11, were killed, a 9 -year-old and 13-year-old were hospitalized with serious injuries.
Sheriff says the sisters being identical twins “added a lot of complexity” to investigation
Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge DeGeorge said the fact the sisters are identical twins “added a lot of complexity” to the lengthy investigation at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
“As the days continued beyond that first day where the crash was reported, inconsistencies started to appear in both sisters’ stories and in the evidence that the deputies uncovered,” DeGeorge said. “Later, it was determined through a series of search warrants, interviews, analysis of different data that in fact Samantha Peterson, Sarah’s twin sister, was driving that vehicle.”
DeGeorge says the inconsistencies included a review of an interview recording, which uncovered a conversation between the two sisters that indicated that “something might be up.” He said another big piece of the investigation was being able to get a search warrant for the sisters’ phones.
A search of Samantha Peterson’s cellphone revealed a text she sent on Sept. 25 writing, in part, “I hit that Amish buggy and killed two ppl [sic].” She continued, “Made Sarah come there and take the fall for it so I wouldn’t go to prison.”
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“Sarah was on scene a short time before our first deputy arrived,” DeGeorge said. “That allowed them to come up with this story where Sarah would take responsibility for the crash and start to mislead the investigation from that point.”
DeGeorge says a lot the evidence, including analysis of cell phone data and an advanced crash reconstruction report, took a “very long time” to get processed. He said it was because of this that it took so long for charges to be filed.
Both sisters have criminal histories. Samantha Peterson’s convictions include fourth- and third-degree DWI. Sarah Peterson was convicted of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in 2022 and is currently on parole for that offense.
Samantha Peterson’s criminal vehicular homicide charges are more serious than her sister’s and each have a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sarah Peterson’s criminal vehicular homicide charges included a maximum sentence of five years.
The sisters have yet to be taken into custody. DeGeorge says the charges did not meet the threshold for an arrest warrant to be ordered by the court. They are charged by summons.
NOTE: Video is from Feb. 5, 2023.
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Best mortgages for first-time homebuyers
Rising home prices and high mortgage rates haven’t made buying a home easy these last few years. In fact, with affordability such a challenge, it’s only made shopping around for a lender that much more important.
It’s true: Comparing lenders can make a big difference when it comes to price. According to Freddie Mac, getting just four different mortgage rate quotes can save you about $1,200 per year.
But rates aren’t the only thing you should think about when choosing a lender. Want to make sure you pick the best mortgage company for your needs? See below for some of the best lenders for first-time homebuyers currently on the market.
Lock in a low mortgage interest rate here today.
Best mortgages for first-time homebuyers
Here are the best mortgage lenders for first-time homebuyers, broken down into six categories:
Best for low down payments: Veterans United
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There is a catch, though: You’ll need to be a current military member, veteran, or spouse of one to qualify. Certain service requirements must be met as well. If you can do it, though, you’ll save yourself money both upfront (on the down payment) and in the long haul, as VA loans tend to have lower interest rates than other loan options.
Learn more about Veterans United here now.
Best for good credit: US Bank
If you have decent credit, US Bank might be a good option for your mortgage. The lender offers conventional, FHA and VA loans, and its rates are some of the lowest of lenders we analyzed. You can also apply fully online and get valuable closing cost discounts if you use other US Bank services.
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Cardinal Financial is a good option if your credit score is on the lower end. The lender allows for scores as low as 620 on conventional loans and 580 on FHA, VA, and USDA loans. There are also jumbo loans — if you’re buying in a high-priced market or eyeing a more expensive property — and construction loans for buyers looking to build their own homes from the ground up.
Best for no lender fees: Better.com
Most lenders charge a variety of fees for processing your mortgage. These might include an origination fee, application fee, underwriting fee, and more. With Better.com mortgages, you won’t see any of these charges. The online lender charges no lender-side fees for underwriting, servicing, or originating its mortgages. There are other typical closing costs, though.
Best for online borrowing: First Mortgage Direct
First Mortgage Direct is a fully digital mortgage lender that lets you manage your mortgage process from start to finish all on the web. You can get a rate quote online, fill out an application, submit your documentation, and even close digitally, too. The lender also offers many online resources to help you along the way — things like informative videos, calculators, articles and more.
Best overall: New American Funding
New American Funding has something for everyone: conventional loans, government-backed loans, jumbo loans, construction loans, non-QM loans and more. There are even loans with customizable terms and options that can turn you into an all-cash buyer to make you more competitive. The lender also has a 4.1-star rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot.
Always shop around
Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, shopping around for your mortgage is important. If you need help doing so, consider enlisting a mortgage broker. These professionals can shop around on your behalf, help you compare lenders and loan options and ensure you get the best rate.