Overview of the Incident and Legal Actions
In a tragic accident on a Minnesota road in September 2023, sisters Irma Miller, aged 11, and Wilma Miller, aged 7, lost their lives when their horse-drawn buggy was struck by a vehicle. The incident has since led to significant legal developments, including the admission of guilt by one of the involved individuals.
The Crash Details
The crash occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m. along southbound County Road 1, southeast of Stewartville. Four Amish children were traveling to school at the time, with Rose Miller, aged 14, holding the reins of the buggy. Unfortunately, the collision resulted in the deaths of Irma and Wilma Miller, while siblings Allan Miller, aged 10, and Rose Miller sustained injuries but survived. The family has expressed their grief and sorrow over this devastating loss.
Legal Proceedings and Plea Agreement
Sarah Beth Petersen, aged 36 from Kellogg, Minnesota, is at the center of the legal case. She has entered a plea of guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular operation in connection with the accident. Her plea was part of a negotiated agreement with prosecutors, which stipulates she will serve no more than six months in jail and will be placed on four years of supervised probation. This plea follows her previous attempts to have the charges dismissed last year.
The Twin Sister’s Role and Charges
Sarah Petersen’s twin sister, Samantha Petersen, is also involved in the case. Prosecutors allege that Samantha attempted to assume responsibility for the crash by impersonating her sister, Sarah, who was the actual driver. Evidence indicated that Samantha had several drugs—including methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC—in her system at the time of the crash. Unlike Sarah, Samantha has not agreed to a plea deal and is scheduled for trial on July 14. She faces multiple charges, including criminal vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation, and driving under the influence of illicit substances.
Reactions and Statements
Following her plea, Sarah Petersen expressed remorse through her attorney, Daniel McIntosh, stating, “Sarah’s heart goes out to the Miller family. She’s a mother herself.” Meanwhile, Menno Miller, the father of Irma and Wilma, shared his sentiments in an interview with local media. He conveyed a desire for a simple apology from the responsible parties, remarking, “That’d go a long way. Yes, it would.” The family’s grief remains profound, and the community continues to process the tragic loss of the young girls.