Former Ohio State Football Player and NFL Alum Kirk Barton Charged Following Fatal Car Crash

Kirk Barton, a former offensive lineman for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, has been charged following a fatal car crash.

On Saturday, June 21, at around 2:56 a.m. local time, the 40-year-old Lewis Center resident was driving a pickup truck at what authorities suspect was a “high rate of speed” when it hit a Lexus traveling eastbound on U.S. 33/S.R. 161, according to a news release from the city of Dublin, Ohio.

Ethan Wence Perry, the 24-year-old driver of the Lexus, was traveling eastbound on West Bridge Street at the time. Perry died at the scene, per the city.

Barton “sustained non-life-threatening injuries” in the Ford F150 Raptor. After he was released from Riverside Methodist Hospital and was then taken into Dublin Police Department custody, before later being transported to Franklin County Jail. The city announced that police intended to charge Barton with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide.

As a result of the crash, West Bridge Street and North High Street were shut down in both directions — as was the westbound S.R. 161/Riverside Drive roundabout — before all roadways opened around 10:15 a.m., per the city of Dublin.

Barton, who now appears in records on the jail’s website, is next set to appear at the Franklin County Municipal Court on Monday, June 23. His offense was listed online as “aggravated vehicular homicide” and no bond amount was listed as of June 21.

“We just learned of the devastating news regarding Kirk’s involvement in a fatal incident,” website Buckeye Scoop wrote on X. “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.”

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Per The Columbus Dispatch, the former college football player appeared on the field for Ohio State from 2003 to 2007, starting at right tackle for four seasons and serving as team captain in 2007.

He earned first-team All-American honors in 2007 and started in two national championship games, per 247Sports.

The Chicago Bears later drafted Barton in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft, before releasing him as he went on to join multiple other teams’ practice squads and training camps.

Citing Franklin County Municipal Court records, the Dispatch reported that Barton has a history of traffic offenses.