Westerville man charged with murder accused of intentionally hitting man with pickup

A Westerville man faces a murder charge after the Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested him Tuesday saying he intentionally ran over an acquaintance with his pickup .

Joshua Harper, 19, is charged with murder in the Monday afternoon incident that resulted in the death of 37-year-old Matthew Cox.

Deputies responded about 12:13 p.m. Monday to the 11500 block of Fancher Road in Harlem Township to a report of a man struck by a vehicle, according to an incident report. Cox was pronounced dead at the scene.

A statement issued Wednesday by the sheriff's office says that Harper ran over Cox with his truck following an argument.

An undisclosed person called authorities shortly after the truck struck Cox to say she knew Harper was the driver of the lifted black Chevrolet Silverado. The caller said she saw Harper in the truck "doing donuts" in a nearby driveway. Cox ran after the truck and was struck, the caller said.

Police later received word that Harper switched vehicles and was driving his mother's car, a black Chevrolet Cruze, according to the radio log. His mother told police she was on the phone with him and trying to get him to return. Deputies took him into custody 20 minutes later on Fancher Road.

Harper is being held in the Delaware County Jail, and will appear in court Wedensday afternoon for his initial appearance.

bagallion@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Westerville man charged with murder accused of intentionally hitting man with pickup