Preston, MN (KROC-AM News) - A trial date has been set in the case of a former Stewartville woman accused of causing the deaths of two young children in a crash involving an Amish buggy.

36-year-old Samantha Petersen, who now has a Wabasha address, faces 17 criminal charges stemming from the deadly incident on Fillmore County Road 1 near Stewartville in September 2023. The charges allege she was under the influence of methamphetamine when the SUV she was driving smashed into an Amish buggy as it was transporting four children to their rural school.

7-year-old Wilma and 11-year-old Irma Miller were killed in the collision. Two other siblings survived, but suffered serious injuries.

T.J. Leverentz/TSM Rochester-Preston
T.J. Leverentz/TSM Rochester-Preston
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The charges against Petersen include six counts of criminal vehicular homicide, six counts of criminal vehicular operation, along with gross misdemeanor counts of DWI and several misdemeanor traffic violations. According to court records, her trial is scheduled to begin on July 14 in Fillmore County Court. A pretrial hearing is scheduled in June.

Olmsted County ADC photo
Olmsted County ADC photo
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Petersen's twin sister, Sarah Peterson, is accused of conspiring with her sibling to track investigators into believing that she was driving the SUV at the time of the fatal collision. Fillmore County prosecutors previously indicated they were in negotiations with Sarah Peterson on a possible plea agreement and she is scheduled to appear in Fillmore County Court this afternoon for a settlement conference.

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