Pennington County, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Paul Gregory Piche Accused of Intentionally Hitting Motorcyclist with Pickup Truck
A Pennington County judge is set to hear the case of Paul Gregory Piche, 37, from Thief River Falls, who is accused of intentionally hitting a motorcyclist with his pickup truck in May 2022. Piche faces multiple charges, including:
- Felony attempted second-degree murder – intentional
- Felony first-degree assault – great bodily harm
- Felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon
- Gross misdemeanor harassment
Piche remains incarcerated at the Pennington County Jail and has waived his right to a jury trial, opting for a bench trial instead. Judge Tamara Yon will preside over the trial scheduled for August 29 and 30, with a pretrial hearing set for August 19.
Incident Overview
The charges stem from an incident on May 23, 2022, when Piche allegedly followed a motorcyclist’s wife from Border Bank to Seven Clans Casino, Hotel, and Water Park in Thief River Falls. After being confronted by the motorcyclist at the casino, Piche is accused of hitting the motorcyclist with his pickup truck, causing the man to fly into a ditch. The victim suffered a fractured arm and severely bruised ribs.
Details of the Incident
- Stalking and Assault: Piche allegedly followed the motorcyclist’s wife and her children in his pickup truck. After the wife called her husband, he confronted Piche at the casino.
- Impact: Piche hit the motorcyclist with his pickup truck, causing significant injuries.
- Arrest: Piche was arrested three hours later in Crookston after law enforcement tracked his cell phone.
Additional Charges
Piche also faces charges in two other 2022 Pennington County cases:
- June 5, 2022: Accused of causing property damage by pushing a medication cart into a corrections officer and ramming it into a jail pod entrance.
- November 13, 2022: Accused of assaulting another inmate, breaking the man’s nose, and causing facial bleeding.
Evidence and Investigation
- Identification: The victim and his wife positively identified Piche from photos and surveillance footage. Piche’s distinctive tattoo and the Ford Ranger pickup truck linked him to the crime.
- Incriminating Statements: Piche allegedly claimed he had struck a deer, despite having no fur or hair on his truck.
- Surveillance and Testimony: Surveillance video, eyewitness testimony, and physical evidence support the charges against Piche.
Upcoming Legal Proceedings
Piche’s trial is expected to clarify the details of the case and address the serious charges against him. The court will determine whether Piche is guilty of the alleged offenses and decide on the appropriate legal consequences.