PRESTON, Minn – The trial of one twin charged in a fatal 2023 crash into an Amish buggy has been scheduled. Filmore County Judge Jeremy Clinefelter set Samantha Jo Peterson’s trial to begin July 14, A preliminary conference will be in late June for the county prosecutor and Samantha Jo’s attorney to sort out lingering details, the judge said. Peterson is charged with 17 criminal counts. Two Amish children died in the crash on their way to school. The case has been complicated because Samantha Jo Peterson and her twin Sarah Beth Peterson colluded to switch places to confuse police about who was driving the car that struck the buggy. The case against Sara Beth has proceeded on a separate track.
