Driver admits to using heroin
Police say he stole truck, then crashed into car, killing its occupant.
Jordan Anthony Russell Harville said he was drunk and did heroin during the Monday police pursuit that led to the death of an innocent motorist, according to police and court sources.
At least three law enforcement agencies actively took part in the pursuit through Miami and Montgomery counties.
Harville, 24, of Clayton called himself a “dope fiend” after police say he drove the stolen Ford F-250 into a Honda Accord driven by Anthony Hufford on North Dixie Drive in Harrison Twp. The Montgomery County Coro
ner’s Office said Hufford, 28, of Englewood, died of blunt force injuries and the manner of death was an accident.
“Kill me, please kill me,” Harville told Montgomery County Sheriff ’s Office deputies, according to reports. “Harville screamed ‘My (expletive) life is ruined.’ ” Harville also said he was “a dope fiend,” the deputy reported, and asked, “You think I give a (expletive) about my life?’”
Harville had his bond set at $75,000 on Tuesday in Miami County Municipal Court; officials said more charges are coming related to the pursuit and crash.
Harville has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 4.
Harville allegedly took the pickup from a residence near Fletcher.
Harville had been wanted on a warrant from a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court case in which he didn’t report to his pro
bation officer. He received intervention in lieu of a conviction for a low-level felony case for breaking and entering a barn.
Deputies’ reports said that after Harville exited the pickup that had flipped after the crash, he jumped from the bed of the truck and tried to run through a parking lot. Deputies apprehended Harville, who had blood on his hands and nose.
A Montgomery County deputy wrote that Harville acted like he had trouble breathing and that his eyes kept rolling into the back of his head.
“He would slide completely off the seat and be unresponsive, and then wake up,” the deputy wrote. “He then stated he used heroin. I asked him how long ago did he use heroin, and he stated while he was being chased.” Medics administered Nar
can after Harville kicked a medic, according to the report.
“After the Narcan was given to him, Harville’s demeanor changed,” the deputy wrote. “He became
more calm and stated he would not do anything anymore.”
Harville has had several visits to area jails for allegations including assault, obstructing justice, resisting arrest, theft, misuse of a credit card, receiving stolen property, breaking and
entering and liquor prohibitions.
Victim ‘loving, caring person’
Katie Schwaiger, a childhood friend of Hufford, said the two were neighbors from when she was 5 until she was 14. Most of his family had moved to Florida, while Hufford stayed in the Englewood area with his grandparents. Schwaiger said her friend, who loved-Star Trek, “was a loving, caring person who was always willing to help anyone.” Hufford’s grandfather, Ed Widder, said Hufford was a “very brilliant guy” who was “a bit of a loner.” Hufford was a 2007 Northmont High School graduate who went on to study medical coding and billing at Miami Valley Career Tech Center before studying Social Welfare at Sinclair Community College. Widder said he hadn’t spoken to Hufford in several days after visiting Hufford’s parents in Florida. He said now he and his family has to plan his funeral services. “We’re trying very hard to get him buried. That’s the next step,” Widder said.