Sussex County man charged with misusing 911 after allegedly making false crash report, police say

FRANKLIN BOROUGH, N.J. (Sussex County) — A Sparta Township man was charged with misusing the 911 emergency system after allegedly falsely reporting that a hit-and-run crash had just occurred, Franklin Borough police announced Monday.

Timothy Lee, 23, was arrested June 11 following an investigation into a reported motor vehicle crash on Munsonhurst Road in Franklin Borough, according to police.

Police said patrol officers responded to a commercial property on Munsonhurst Road, where Lee reported that he had been the victim of a hit-and-run crash.

Investigators later determined that Lee had previously attempted to report the crash at Franklin Borough Police headquarters after it had occurred, according to police.

Lee then allegedly returned to the location where he claimed the crash happened, called 911 and falsely reported that the crash had just occurred and that the other driver had left the scene, police said.

Following the investigation, Lee was charged with fourth-degree misuse of the 911 emergency system and fourth-degree false reports to law enforcement.

Lee was issued a complaint summons and released pending an appearance in Sussex County Superior Court in accordance with New Jersey’s Bail Reform Act.