Identical twins from Minnesota are facing charges after authorities allege that they swapped places following a fatal crash involving an Amish horse-drawn carriage. Samantha Jo Petersen is accused of driving high and rear-ending the carriage, resulting in the death of two children and injuries to their siblings. Her twin sister, Sarah Beth Petersen, reportedly took responsibility for the crash at the scene in an attempt to protect her sister.
The incident has led to a lengthy investigation, with prosecutors filing numerous charges against the sisters. Samantha faces 21 counts, including vehicular homicide, DWI, and leaving the scene of an accident, while Sarah faces 16 felony charges for aiding and abetting and trying to take responsibility for a crime. The case presents challenges for prosecutors, as the defense could argue against the evidence due to the circumstances surrounding the crash.
David Gelman, a former prosecutor turned defense attorney, believes that proving the case of impaired operation against the suspected driver may be challenging due to the speed of the crash, but negligence can be easier to establish under Minnesota law. He also notes that Sarah Petersen’s involvement could be harder to prosecute, but authorities might seek her testimony against her sister. The defense could point out issues such as the contamination of the crime scene from the beginning. Ultimately, the case highlights the tragic consequences of the alleged actions of the Petersen twins.
Source
Photo credit www.foxnews.com