Latest court case one year after fatal Amish car-horse-drawn carriage crash – ABC 6 News

(ABC 6 News) – Nearly a year after the devastating accident between an SUV and an Amish horse-drawn carriage that two children were killedThe trial will continue with collective hearings of the twin sisters who were charged in the subsequent investigation.

At the time of the accident, the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office reported the driver was Sarah Beth Petersen.

However, the subsequent investigation revealed details that made the case even more shocking.

Sheriff's Office Arrest Warrants suspected that it was Sarah's twin sister Samantha Jo Petersen who was actually behind the wheel when it collided with the buggy.

The case became even more complicated as law enforcement had to track down which sister had been where.

“In each case, depending on how complex the case is, we just have to go through the facts and make sure that law enforcement gathers all the evidence for us. And then once we have all the evidence together, we can decide on charges,” said Fillmore County Prosecutor Brett Corson.

When these charges were filed, it was alleged that Samantha caused the accident while driving home from work while high on meth, and after the accident, she switched places with Sarah to throw off the police.

Samantha received 21 charges, Many of these were capital crimes, due to deaths and suspected driving under the influence of alcohol.

Sarah received their own accusations – 16 offences for assuming responsibility for and aiding and abetting an offender who committed negligent homicide.

Both sisters made their first court dates in March, neither of them entered a plea.

In the next phase of the case, the Petersens will now participate in a summary hearing to review the evidence and determine whether there is sufficient probable cause to sustain the attorney's charges.

“Some of the challenges in this case are the probable cause for certain charges,” Corson said. “If those charges are dropped for lack of probable cause, that could have implications for how the case proceeds.”

The same goes for evidence.

The Petersen's defense argues They strongly object to a recording of a conversation between the sisters on the day of the accident, during which Sarah was sitting in the back seat of a police car and which neither of them claims to have been aware of.

They are also considering a defense that would dismiss Samantha's charge of driving under the influence because she was not drug tested until the day after the accident.

Samantha Jo Petersen's next court date will be an omnibus hearing on September 30.

Sarah Beth Petersen will appear for a settlement hearing on October 21.