The college football community, particularly those associated with the Ohio State Buckeyes, has been rocked by the distressing news that former offensive lineman Kirk Barton has been charged with aggravated vehicular manslaughter following a fatal vehicle accident. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio, resulted in the tragic death of 24-year-old Ethan Perry. This development has sent a wave of shock, sadness, and concern through the Ohio State faithful, many of whom remember Barton as a standout player on some of the program’s most successful teams.
According to reports from Dublin Police and Franklin County Municipal Court records, Barton, 40, of Lewis Center, was allegedly driving a Ford F-150 Raptor pickup truck at a high rate of speed on U.S. Route 33. Authorities stated that Barton initially drove the wrong way on the freeway before turning around and proceeding eastbound at excessive speeds. His truck then collided with a Lexus IS 250 driven by Ethan Perry on West Bridge Street near Franklin Street. Perry was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Barton sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital before being released into police custody and taken to Franklin County Jail.
Police at the scene reportedly observed signs of impairment in Barton, including glassy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and an odor of alcohol on his breath. Court records indicate that Barton admitted to drinking alcohol before the crash and was unable to answer basic questions about the evening. He has been charged with a second-degree felony count of aggravated vehicular homicide/manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence. If convicted, Barton faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of two to eight years.
Barton was arraigned at the Franklin County Municipal Court on Monday, June 23, where his bond was set at $500,000. Conditions of his bond include being prohibited from driving a vehicle, not being allowed to leave central Ohio, surrendering his passport, and wearing an electronic alcohol monitoring bracelet. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for July 1.
The news is particularly jarring given Kirk Barton’s prominent past as an Ohio State Buckeye. He played for the Buckeyes from 2003 to 2007, primarily as a right tackle. He was a critical component of Ohio State’s offensive line during a highly successful era, starting in two national championship games (2006 and 2007 seasons) and earning First-Team All-American honors in 2007. Barton also served as a team captain in his senior year, cementing his status as a respected leader within the program. His collegiate performance led to him being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and he had brief stints with several other NFL teams’ practice squads and training camps, including the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers.
Beyond his playing career, Barton maintained a public presence within the Ohio State football community. He served as a graduate assistant coach for the Buckeyes from 2010 to 2012, working under head coaches Jim Tressel, Luke Fickell, and Urban Meyer, specifically assisting with the offensive line. More recently, Barton co-founded Buckeye Scoop, a website dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics. However, his association with the university’s athletic events had been strained since 2021 when Ohio State revoked his media credentials and banned him from covering team practices and scrimmages, alleging that Buckeye Scoop used unauthorized access to practice footage for their reporting.
This is not Barton’s first encounter with the law. Public records show a history of legal issues. In 2018, he was charged with felonious assault on a police officer and resisting arrest following an altercation during the Memorial Tournament weekend in Dublin, where authorities alleged he slammed a taxi van door into an officer’s arm while intoxicated. While the outcome of that specific case was not immediately clear in all reports, it highlighted previous legal troubles. Furthermore, reports indicate a history of traffic-related offenses, including past OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) charges, one of which was dismissed in 2010, and another in 2017 that was pleaded down to reckless operation and failure to stop, resulting in a fine and license suspension.
The tragedy of Ethan Perry’s death weighs heavily on the community, and the legal process will now unfold to determine responsibility. The incident serves as a stark and painful reminder of the severe consequences of impaired driving and reckless behavior on the roads.
The statement released by Buckeye Scoop following the incident reflects the gravity of the situation: “We just learned of the devastating news regarding Kirk’s involvement in a fatal incident. We are heartbroken for Ethan Perry and his loved ones. This is a tragedy. At this time, we are gathering information and will have more to say when appropriate.”
The news has resonated deeply with former teammates, coaches, and fans who remember Barton as a dedicated and talented player. The legal proceedings will undoubtedly be followed closely, as the community grapples with the devastating implications of this tragic event. As the preliminary hearing on July 1 approaches, more details may emerge regarding the circumstances of the crash and the charges against Kirk Barton. For now, the focus remains on the profound loss suffered by Ethan Perry’s family and the serious legal consequences facing a former Ohio State standout.
