Kirk Barton, former Ohio State lineman, charged in fatal crash involving alcohol
by WSYX Staff
Sat, June 21st 2025 at 1:10 PM
Updated Sun, June 22nd 2025 at 8:36 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Former Ohio State football player Kirk Barton has been charged with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide after a crash early Saturday morning near West Bridge and High Streets in Dublin.
Police said the crash involved two vehicles and took place at approximately 2:56 a.m.
According to court documents, Barton was driving recklessly by traveling in the wrong direction on US-33 before correcting his direction. Barton then traveled eastbound on US-33 at an excessive speed when, in the area of Franklin Street and West Bridge Street, Barton collided with a Lexus driven by 24-year-old Ethan Perry, who was traveling eastbound on West Bridge Street. Perry was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.
Officers found Barton to have "glassy, bloodshot eyes and a blank stare," according to court documents. Barton also reportedly had slow, slurred speech and was unable to answer basic questions about the evening and the crash.
Dublin detectives said that Barton later admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages before the crash.
Police said the crash resulted in the closure of West Bridge Street and North High Street in both directions (WSYX)
Barton sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was released from Riverside Methodist Hospital into police custody. Barton was taken to Franklin County Jail.
Police said the crash resulted in the closure of West Bridge Street and North High Street in both directions, as well as the westbound Ohio 161/Riverside Drive roundabout. The roadways reopened to traffic at 10:15 a.m.
He is slated to be arraigned on Monday.
Barton played for Ohio State from 2003-2007 and earned All-American honors as the Buckeyes’ right tackle in 2007.
He's previously been charged with felony assault of a deputy in 2018.
Barton has worked for Buckeye Scoop, which put out the following statement on X Saturday afternoon.
“We just learned of the devastating news regarding Kirk’s involvement in a fatal incident,” the statement read. “We are heartbroken for the victim and their loved ones. This is a tragedy. At this time, we are gathering information and will have more to say when appropriate.”
