Former Ohio State Star Kirk Barton Charged With Aggravated Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Crash

Former Ohio State University football standout Kirk Barton has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after a fatal crash in Dublin, Ohio, that left a 24-year-old man dead over the weekend. Authorities say Barton, 40, was driving intoxicated and on the wrong side of the road just before the early-morning collision.

The crash occurred around 3 a.m. Saturday in Historic Dublin, a suburb of Columbus, according to local police. Barton, driving a pickup truck at what officials described as a “high rate of speed,” struck a Lexus operated by Ethan Wence Perry. Perry was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say Barton admitted to consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel. According to a report by The Columbus Dispatch, officers observed that Barton had a “blank stare” and glassy eyes when they arrived. The former athlete was also reportedly traveling in the wrong lane before briefly correcting his course moments before the deadly impact.

Barton was transported to a local hospital with what authorities described as non-life-threatening injuries.

Dublin Police announced that Barton has been charged with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide—a felony charge that carries potentially severe penalties under Ohio law, especially when alcohol or drugs are involved.

Following a court appearance on Monday, Barton was released on a $500,000 cash surety bond. He has been ordered not to leave the area and not to operate a vehicle while the case is pending. He is scheduled to return to court next month.

Barton’s arrest has stunned Ohio’s football community. A former offensive lineman for the Ohio State Buckeyes, he played right tackle from 2003 to 2007 and was named a first-team All-American in his final season. He was later drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft and had short stints with several NFL teams.

Beyond his playing career, Barton remained involved with Ohio State athletics and local sports media. He had become a recognizable figure in Buckeye Nation, participating in radio commentary and podcasting. His professional ties and public profile have only amplified the spotlight on this case.

Aggravated vehicular homicide is one of the most serious traffic-related offenses in Ohio. Under state law, drivers convicted of causing a fatal crash while intoxicated can face up to 11 years in prison, along with mandatory license suspension, steep fines, and other penalties. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek additional charges pending the results of toxicology tests.

The family of Ethan Perry has not issued a public statement. Social media posts suggest he was a recent college graduate and described by friends as kind, ambitious, and full of potential. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through his community.

Fatal DUI-related crashes continue to plague U.S. roadways, despite extensive public safety campaigns and harsher sentencing laws. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 13,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2022, accounting for nearly a third of all traffic-related deaths nationwide.

Barton’s case comes amid growing scrutiny over how law enforcement and courts handle high-profile DUI incidents. While his status as a former college football star may draw extra attention, the broader concern remains about the ongoing toll of impaired driving.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the exact sequence of events leading up to the crash. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic analysis of the crash site are expected to play a significant role in the upcoming legal proceedings.

Barton’s legal team has not released a comment, and efforts to reach representatives were unsuccessful as of press time.

What began as another early summer weekend in suburban Ohio has now turned into a tragic cautionary tale about alcohol, driving, and accountability. For now, one family is left grieving an unimaginable loss, while another watches a once-promising life unravel under the weight of a serious criminal charge. The outcome of this case will not only determine Barton’s future—it may also reignite conversations across Ohio and beyond about the dangers of drinking and driving.