Former Ohio State Offensive Lineman Kirk Barton Charged with Aggravated Vehicular Manslaughter After Fatal Car Accident.

The quiet streets of Dublin, Ohio, were shattered in the early hours of June 21, 2025, when a Ford F‑150 Raptor driven by Kirk Barton, a former captain and All‑American offensive lineman for Ohio State, collided with a Lexus traveling east on West Bridge Street. The Lexus was driven by 24‑year‑old Ethan Wence Perry, who died at the scene. Authorities allege that Barton was driving at a “high rate of speed” and exhibited signs of impairment, including “glassy, bloodshot eyes” and a “blank stare” .

Barton, 40, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was briefly hospitalized before being taken into custody at Franklin County Jail. He faces a second‑degree felony count of aggravated vehicular homicide, also referred to in court as aggravated vehicular manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence . His arraignment came on June 23, where a judge set bail at $500,000, and imposed strict conditions, including a prohibition on driving . Barton has pled not guilty.

The impact of this charge—and the death of a young man—shocked fans and former teammates. Barton was once a celebrated figure in Ohio State history, playing right tackle from 2003 to 2007, serving as team captain, and earning first-team All‑American honors in 2007 before being drafted by the Chicago Bears .

What followed in Dublin early on that Saturday morning was catastrophic. Dublin Police say Barton was heading west on U.S. 33 at high velocity just before the crash, then entered West Bridge Street and crashed into Perry’s vehicle at 2:56 a.m. . Road closures stretched from the crash site onward; authorities shut down West Bridge Street, North High Street, and adjacent intersections, reopening by around 10:15 a.m. .

As first responders approached, they found Perry’s car in ruins and lifeless. Barton, meanwhile, was evaluated at Riverside Methodist Hospital before being processed by Dublin Police. His bond hearing unfolded days later, during which Perry’s grieving mother, Roslyn Perry, expressed outrage. She argued that $500,000 bond was a fraction of what Barton could afford and called it a “slap in our face” .

“That’s nothing for him… but I guess that’s the OSU privilege,” she told ABC6 .

She further alleged Barton had driven the wrong way onto Bridge Street before veering back into traffic and crashing 900 feet from that initial wrong-way driving point .

Barton’s arrest isn’t his first legal setback. In 2010 and 2017, court records show he was arrested on alcohol-related driving charges—one OVI later reduced to reckless operation after he paid fines and lost his license for six months. In 2018, he was charged with assaulting a deputy and resisting arrest during a drunken altercation at a Franklin County event .

Ohio State and the football community paused to reckon with the news. Barton had worked for Buckeye Scoop, a prominent Ohio State athletics site, at the time of the crash. The outlet released a statement saying they were “heartbroken for the victim and their loved ones,” pledging to gather more information before making further comment . The university had previously banned Buckeye Scoop from covering certain events after a 2021 violation involving unauthorized video access .

The legal stakes Barton now faces are serious. Aggravated vehicular homicide in Ohio carries a mandatory prison term of two to eight years, potentially even longer depending on circumstances . His first court appearance is set for July 1, when prosecutors will likely lay out details of the case, and Barton’s defense may argue for mitigation or alternate charges .

In the hours following his arrest and release on bail, Barton posted bond and left the Franklin County Jail. Court records confirm conditions include surrendering his license, refusing alcohol, and abstaining from driving .

The crash claimed the life of Ethan Wence Perry, remembered by loved ones as a young man coming home after a night out. Just before the fatal collision, Perry reportedly said to his mother, “I’m going to play a couple of games on Xbox and then get some wings”—a simple plan that ended in tragedy . His mother, Roslyn, said her life was left “broken” by his sudden passing and voiced concern that Barton’s history of alcohol offenses made this crash preventable .

The central legal question will hinge on whether Barton was impaired and traveling at a criminally negligent speed, making this a criminal offense rather than a tragic accident. Prosecutors will scrutinize Toxicology results, speed analysis, and Barton’s driving pattern, including the alleged wrong-way approach, to build their case .

Public reaction has been intense and divided. Many Buckeye fans mourned the death of a Buckeye alumnus’s mother’s son, while also grappling with it being another former player embroiled in legal turmoil. Some pointed to Barton’s past offenses and saw a troubling pattern; others urged caution, emphasizing that Barton has yet to be formally tried or convicted.

On one online forum, users wrote that this could “tarnish the Buckeye legacy,” while others insisted Barton “deserves due process” and the truth must come out before judgment .

Ohio State’s recent history was not bereft of scandal, but this fatal crash marks one of the most devastating incidents linked to a former player. The university community, still recovering from internal controversies, now must confront unanswered questions about the responsibilities of high-profile alumni.

Barton’s status as a former OSU captain amplifies the scrutiny. He started every game for four seasons, gained recognition as a Big Ten stalwart, and made an All-American team during the Buckeyes’ run to the 2007 BCS National Championship Game . His single-season Rose Bowl appearance marked the culmination of a college career that many still celebrate. No less than ESPN described the incident as shocking given his longtime good reputation μ.

But the outpouring following the crash has largely centered on empathy for Perry’s family. A roadside memorial established in Dublin soon after the crash drew hundreds of flowers, candles, and condolences, reinforcing the human cost of the tragedy .

As legal proceedings approach, Cleveland-area attorneys say the case could go to trial if the defense does not accept a plea deal. Given Barton’s history, some speculate prosecutors may push for the maximum penalty to send a warning. Others suggest Barton’s clean record during his NFL career and post-football roles—including television commentary and business—may yield some mitigation .

The football community is also watching closely. Would Ohio State’s current culture team absorb the news and respond with policy reminders? Will future players learn from this and take accountability on and off the field?

Barton himself has yet to speak publicly since the crash. His legal team has not issued a statement beyond the bond plea, and the Buckeye Scoop outlet has only expressed sympathy . Perry’s family, however, demands justice and accountability.

For Dublin, and the broader university community, the coming months will be a test of transparency and empathy. One local official commented that “no athlete, no celebrity, is above the law” .

Meanwhile, Ohio State coaches and administrators—many of whom knew Barton personally—have largely stayed silent. Some active players have posted prayers for the victim; others are waiting for facts before making public statements.

This tragedy brings painful clarity: athletic fame can vanish in an instant, while choices—especially behind the wheel—can end lives. A former hero and icon is now a defendant; a young life was lost before it truly began. As courts prepare to uncover the truth, the community waits—not just for accountability under the law, but for honest reflection on responsibility, legacy, and the fragile line between admiration and accountability.