Thief River Falls, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—A 72-year-old Thief River Falls man, Byron Nilson, has been cited for falsely reporting a crime after police discovered that he lied about a hit-and-run accident in the Walmart parking lot on January 21, 2025.
The Alleged Hit-and-Run Report
- Police responded to the Walmart parking lot just before 3:00 PM after Nilson reported being the victim of a hit-and-run.
- Officers began an investigation into the alleged crash.
Truth Revealed: Nilson Crashed Into a Pole
- Upon further investigation, police determined Nilson was not hit by another vehicle.
- Instead, officers found out that he had actually hit a pole and made up the hit-and-run story.
- Police referred to his claim as “fibbing.”
Citation Issued for False Report
- Nilson was cited for Falsely Reporting a Crime, a misdemeanor offense in Minnesota.
- Law enforcement has not indicated whether additional penalties may follow.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities remind the public that filing a false report is a serious offense and can lead to criminal charges and legal consequences.
Further updates will be provided as more details emerge.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me