Sarah Beth Petersen (above top) has entered a guilty plea to two felony counts of felony vehicular operation in a case that has spanned several years, involving her identical twin sister Samantha Jo Petersen (above bottom), both aged 35. These guilty pleas are specifically related to the events that unfolded after the tragic accident, marking a significant turning point in their lives and legal battles.

?I did, I lied,? Sarah confessed as she accepted the plea deal, according to the Post Bulletin. She recounted receiving a frantic call from Samantha on the morning of September 25, 2023. ?She was crying, overwhelmed with fear and panic,? Sarah described during her hearing, illustrating the emotional chaos that ensued following the tragic incident.

In the aftermath of the crash, Samantha allegedly expressed that she hadn?t noticed the buggy and subsequently asked Sarah if she would be willing to switch places with her. ?Initially, I said no,? Sarah relayed to her lawyer before court, as reported by Law & Crime. ?Then she mentioned something that made me reconsider, stating she would face a lengthy prison sentence.? This moment highlights the pressure and desperation felt in the wake of tragedy.

Now, with the agreement to execute this swap, Sarah is facing a potential maximum sentence of six months in jail alongside four years of probation. In exchange for her plea deal, all remaining charges against her have been dismissed, allowing her to move forward, although the implications of this decision will linger. The formal acceptance of this settlement is scheduled for March 31, marking a crucial date in this unfolding legal saga.

Samantha has had some charges against her dismissed; however, she still confronts several serious allegations, including vehicular homicide, felony operation, driving under the influence, and careless driving, as reported by the Post Bulletin. Her trial is slated to commence on July 14, where these charges will be rigorously examined in court.

Authorities were suspicious of the alleged swap almost from the outset, particularly after Samantha?s SUV collided with a horse-drawn carriage belonging to the Miller family, an Amish household. Tragically, two of the family’s young children, 7-year-old Wilma and 11-year-old Irma, lost their lives in the crash, along with one horse. The incident also left two other siblings injured, thus amplifying the tragedy of this event.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Samantha, a witness reported first observing one sister at the scene after the crash, only to see another sister??who looked similar? to the first??just kind of appear? at the scene moments later. This raises serious questions about the events that transpired during and after the accident.

The witness claimed to have witnessed the second woman embracing the first and heard her say that she hadn?t seen the children until it was too late. This interaction adds another layer of complexity to the situation, indicating a level of awareness and emotional response amidst the chaos.

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, it was Sarah who told deputies that she was the one who hit the buggy. When they requested her identification, she claimed it was in a nearby black SUV, which was not the silver vehicle involved in the accident. This moment of confusion further complicates the narrative surrounding the incident.

Sarah allegedly stated that the vehicle involved in the accident belonged to her sister, suggesting that she was driving it due to her own car being in the shop. This explanation raised eyebrows, as the deputy noted that the two sisters ?looked extremely similar,? leading to speculation about the authenticity of her claims.

After conversing with Sarah in the squad car, the deputy kept his digital recorder running as he distanced himself from the vehicle. According to court documents, Sarah was overheard speaking to her sister, unaware that every word was being recorded. This moment highlights the lack of awareness regarding the surrounding legal scrutiny at that time.

?During the recording, Sarah can be heard saying, ?I think one of the guys is onto me but I don?t really care? there?s no way they could ever know the difference between the two of us so they can?t tell,?? the complaint states, revealing a disturbing level of confidence and disregard for the consequences of their actions.

Later, investigators uncovered a troubling text message sent from Samantha to a friend, in which she allegedly confessed, ?Made Sarah come and take the fall for it so I wouldn?t go to jail.? This admission further complicates the legal ramifications and ethical considerations of their actions.

A manager at a Hy-Vee grocery store, where both sisters were employed, indicated that Samantha messaged him on the day of the crash, confessing, ?I messed up and was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the accident.? The manager believed that Sarah was taking the blame for her sister because ?Samantha cared for Sarah?s children while Sarah was incarcerated, and now it appears she feels compelled to support Samantha.?

An HR manager for Hy-Vee also received a call from Samantha that day, during which she reportedly stated, ?I messed up. I just killed two Amish people; they were children? I hit a f?king buggy and I killed two people? I am not sober? I am high on meth.? These statements are particularly alarming, illustrating the gravity of the situation and the emotional turmoil Samantha was experiencing.

Surveillance footage captured Samantha leaving work in a silver SUV shortly before the accident, with a phone linked to her being the one used to call 911. This evidence adds another layer to the investigation, indicating her presence and potential culpability at the scene.

A search warrant was executed at Samantha?s residence, but when authorities arrived, Sarah claimed her sister was not home, according to the complaint. She also stated that she called Samantha following the crash and had her sister dial 911, seemingly attempting to clarify her twin?s involvement and deflect responsibility.

Upon entering the house, authorities reportedly found Samantha inside, where she underwent a blood test that allegedly revealed the presence of methamphetamine and THC. This discovery raises significant concerns regarding her mental and physical state during the time of the crash.

A social worker for Sarah?s 13-year-old daughter informed authorities that the girl claimed, ?my mother wasn?t the one driving,? suggesting confusion and concern within the family. Additionally, a text message from Samantha and another individual known only as ?DH? allegedly revealed her further admissions regarding the incident.

Samantha?s phone reportedly contained searches for phrases like, ?What happens if you get in an accident with an Amish buggy and kill two people,? ?how to lock an iPhone from cops,? and ?if you hit a buggy and kill two people are you going to jail?? These searches indicate a preoccupation with legal ramifications and a desire to evade responsibility.

In February 2024, Samantha faced a total of 21 charges, including vehicular homicide under the influence and fleeing the scene, followed by 16 felony counts against Sarah just two days later, including falsely taking responsibility for a crime and aiding and abetting. After Sarah?s plea deal, Samantha is left with 17 remaining charges, as drug-related charges have been dropped, intensifying her legal battle ahead.

In a conversation with The Wall Street Journal, the father of the two deceased children expressed that the sisters ?were only thinking about themselves? in the aftermath of the tragic incident. While the Amish community does not subscribe to the criminal justice system, he acknowledged the seriousness of the charges against the sisters.

?It was not a good scene, I can tell you that, when you see your children scattered along the road,? he recounted to WSJ, providing a harrowing account of the tragic aftermath of the accident.