Driver accused of deadly, fiery Huber Heights crash facing additional charge

HUBER HEIGHTS — The driver accused of causing a fiery crash in Huber Heights, killing a man is facing a new charge.

Cory Harbarger, 27, of Dayton, was indicted Monday morning on a single drug possession charge, according to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court records.

Harbarger was allegedly in possession of methamphetamines at the time of the crash on Jan. 24. He’s been accused of tossing them as he was running from the scene of the crash, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office told News Center 7.

>> PHOTOS: Serious fiery crash in Huber Heights

This is the third time that Harbarger has been indicted on charges connected to the crash, which killed 68-year-old Steven Carlson. He’s also facing aggravated vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, vehicular assault, aggravated vehicular assault, failure to comply with the order of a police officer, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence and OVI charges.

Prosecutors said a Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy spotted a BMW in the parking lot of an AutoZone in Harrison Twp. on Jan. 24. The car had been reported stolen out of Clark County, according to a release from the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.

The deputy tried to pull the car over, but Harbarger drove away, hitting another vehicle in the process. Harbarger then drove onto northbound I-75 before heading east on I-70 toward Huber Heights.

Harbarger got off of I-70 at Brandt Pike and headed south at a high rate of speed. Prosecutors said he later crashed the stolen car into several other vehicles. As News Center 7 previously reported, the crash caused several vehicles to catch on fire.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Body cam video released of deadly, fiery crash in Huber Heights

Prior to the crash, he was accused of hitting a Huber Heights police cruiser.

After the crash, police said he ran from the scene, but was later taken into custody.

Prosecutors said Harbarger was wanted in two unrelated cases at the time of the crash.

Harbarger is expected to appear in court Wednesday to be arraigned on the new charge. He remains booked in the Montgomery County Jail.

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