News
Scioto Co. Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Trial Underway
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
Posted on:
UPDATE 4:11 PM Opening statements have begun in the trial of a Scioto County man charged with the death of his girlfriend and baby.
David Harshberger Jr., 42, is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of weapon under disability and one count of possession of drugs in connection with a crash that happened back in July 2011.
The Ohio Highway Patrol said Harshberger was driving on Arion Road in McDermott when he went off the road, over an embankment and flipped his SUV.
His girlfriend, Samantha Tackett, 30, and their two-year-old daughter, Delorian, died in the crash. Troopers say their daughter was sitting in her mom's lap and no one was restrained. They also said there was a child’s car seat in the back seat that was not being used.
Troopers said that Harshberger was incoherent right after the accident. They said a search of the SUV turned up balloons commonly used to store heroin and more than $600 cash. Then, during a search of his home, troopers say they found crack cocaine, a .22-caliber long rifle and seven prescription bottles containing a total of 286 pills.
Jury selection was finalized around noon on Monday, and then jurors visited the accident site before opening statements were presented.
Harshberger’s trial is taking place in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
Jury selection is underway for a Scioto County man charged with the death of his girlfriend and baby.
David Harshberger Jr., 42, is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of weapon under disability and one count of possession of drugs in connection with a crash that happened back in July 2011.
Harshberger’s trial is taking place in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
The Ohio Highway Patrol said Harshberger was driving on Arion Road in McDermott when he went off the road, over an embankment and flipped his SUV.
His girlfriend, Samantha Tackett, 30, and their two-year-old daughter, Delorian, died in the crash. Troopers say their daughter was sitting in her mom's lap and no one was restrained. They also said there was a child’s car seat in the back seat that was not being used.
Troopers said that Harshberger was incoherent right after the accident. They said a search of the SUV turned up balloons commonly used to store heroin and more than $600 cash. Then, during a search of his home, troopers say they found crack cocaine, a .22-caliber long rifle and seven prescription bottles containing a total of 286 pills.
Jurors are expected to visit the accident site Monday afternoon before openings statements are presented.