Ex-Ohio State Star Charged in Fatal Crash
DUBLIN, Ohio—June 21, 2025
Former Ohio State All-American offensive lineman Kirk Barton faces aggravated vehicular manslaughter charges after a high-speed crash killed 24-year-old Ethan Perry in a devastating overnight collision. The incident marks a grim new low for the ex-NFL player, whose post-football life has been marred by escalating legal troubles.
The Deadly Impact
Just after 3 a.m. Saturday, Barton’s pickup truck tore down West Bridge Street at reckless speeds before slamming into Perry’s vehicle. First responders found Perry’s sedan crumpled beyond recognition, its young driver lifeless at the scene. Barton, bloodied but conscious, was extracted from his mangled truck and rushed to Riverside Methodist Hospital. After treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, he was released directly into police custody – now accused of causing Perry’s death through alleged criminal negligence.
From Gridiron Glory to Handcuffs
The tragedy stains the legacy of a player once celebrated in Columbus. As Ohio State’s starting right tackle from 2003-2007, Barton protected Heisman winner Troy Smith and anchored a line that bulldozed its way to consecutive BCS Championship appearances. His 2007 All-American honors cemented his Buckeye legend status. After brief NFL stints with the Bears, 49ers, and Bengals, Barton co-founded Buckeye Scoop – a site now banned from OSU facilities since 2021 for using illegally obtained practice footage.
A Troubled Pattern Resurfaces
This isn’t Barton’s first collision with the law. Seven years earlier, deputies arrested him at The Bogey Inn – the same Dublin bar district where Saturday’s fatal crash occurred. During that 2018 incident, Barton slammed a taxi van door on an officer’s arm during a drunken confrontation, resulting in felony assault charges. Though details of that case’s resolution remain unclear, witnesses described similar aggressive behavior fueled by intoxication.
Community Grief and Demanding Justice
As news spread, tributes flooded social media for Perry – a recent Ohio University graduate working in marketing. “Ethan lit up every room,” wrote childhood friend Marcus Reed. “His life mattered, and we demand accountability.” Dublin police confirmed their investigation remains active, examining surveillance footage and toxicology reports that could influence charges. If convicted of aggravated vehicular manslaughter, Barton could face up to 11 years in prison under Ohio law.
The Fallen and the Fallen Star
Perry’s family plans vigils this week near the crash site where flowers and photos already gather. Meanwhile, Barton awaits arraignment at Delaware County Jail, his football glory eclipsed by the weight of his alleged actions. For Buckeye fans who once cheered his blocks, the tragedy forces a painful reckoning: how a man who protected quarterbacks now stands accused of robbing a young man of his future.