A former Ohio State and Cincinnati Bengals football player was sentenced on Wednesday to five to seven and a half years in prison for a wrong-way crash that killed a 24-year-old man.
Kirk Barton, 41, has pled guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide in connection with Ethan Perry’s death in June 2025. A judge also permanently revoked Barton’s driver’s license.
According to authorities, Barton was traveling in the wrong direction on U.S. Route 33 in Dublin before turning around and colliding with Perry’s vehicle at 3 a.m. According to reports, Barton was traveling 126 mph seconds before the incident and 114 mph at the time of impact. Barton’s truck came to a halt approximately 900 feet from the crash site. According to court documents, his blood alcohol content was above the legal limit.
Perry was pronounced deceased on the scene. Barton had non-life-threatening injuries. Police stated Barton displayed indicators of impairment, such as watery, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, and was unable to answer basic inquiries. Police also said he later acknowledged drinking alcohol.
In court, Barton stated, “I am pleading guilty because I am guilty,” and offered regret.
Perry’s mother addressed the court, stating, “Because of your selfishness, I will never be a mother to a groom or a grandmother. Because of your selfishness, he no longer calls me in the morning.
Additional counts, such as a second count of aggravated vehicular murder and operating a car while intoxicated, were dropped as part of the plea.
Barton played offensive line for Ohio State from 2003 to 2007, earning All-American accolades at right tackle in 2007. The Chicago Bears chose him in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and he briefly played for the Cincinnati Bengals later that season.