Defendant testifies in freeway death trial in San Bernardino

The two vehicles collided while getting on the southbound 215 Freeway on Oct. 24, 2006. Near Mill Street, Harville heard a loud noise, which he said he believes was a tire blowout that caused him to lose control, go over the guard rail and roll over.

The Explorer's battery was pitched into opposing traffic, striking and killing 30-year-old driver Shawn Billings Kettlewell.

Harville and Hill had dated for a few months, but she ended the relationship when he threatened her, according to court testimony.

The morning of the crash, Harville visited Hill's house and demanded she come outside, according to prosecutors.

While chasing Hill, Harville bumped Hill's SUV multiple times, was yelling and motioning with his hands, witnesses told investigators.

Deputy District Attorney Terry Brown questioned Harville about why he didn't tell police and about how mad he was at Hill.

"I'm a little upset, but not to go kill her," Harville testified, adding that he wasn't suicidal.
Harville was on parole at the time of the crash, and another woman had taken a restraining order out on him.

The defendant testified about how much he valued the Explorer, which had more than $8,000 worth of custom additions, rode on "30s" tires and was in a car club. The thinner tires had caused several blowouts since he purchased the vehicle, he explained.

Harville testified, under questioning from Deputy Public Defender Rod Curbelo, that he had ended the relationship with Hill.

"I just wanted to leave that relationship alone, just try to get away from it," Harville said. "Because I didn't want to go back to jail."

Harville faces charges of murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and other special enhancements, court records indicate.

The defense is expected to call more witnesses this morning, with lawyers' closing arguments possibly in the afternoon.