A collision between an SUV and an Amish buggy in southern Minnesota left two young sisters in the horse-drawn vehicle dead and two of their siblings injured, officials said Tuesday.
2 sisters killed, 2 siblings hurt when Amish buggy, SUV collide in southern Minnesota
The motorist has a lengthy history of driving violations, according to court records.
September 26, 2023 at 6:11PM
The crash occurred about 8:25 a.m. Monday southeast of Stewartville on southbound County Road 1 and south of County Road 102, said Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge. Further circumstances about the collision have yet to be disclosed.
Suffering fatal injuries were Wilma Miller, 7, and Irma Miller, 11, DeGeorge said. Hospitalized in Rochester for treatment of their injuries were Alan Miller, 9, and Rose Miller, 13, the sheriff added. The children live in Stewartville, about 12 miles south of Rochester.
The sheriff added the horse did not survive the collision.
DeGeorge identified the driver as Sarah Beth Petersen, 35, of Spring Valley, Minn.
Minnesota court records show Petersen has been convicted at least five times for driving after her license was revoked, once for driving with a suspended license and once for driving under the influence of amphetamine and methamphetamine.
She's also been convicted of speeding twice, once for going 87 miles per hour in a 70 zone and also for traveling 77 mph in a 65 zone.
Her license was valid at the time of the crash, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
Messages were left Tuesday afternoon with Petersen seeking further information about Monday's crash.
"No arrests have been made at this time, and the cause of the crash continues to be investigated," DeGeorge said in a statement.
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