The early morning silence on a highway in Ohio turned into a tragedy that would ripple far beyond the scene of the crash. Former Ohio State Buckeyes lineman Kirk Barton has been sentenced to between five and seven and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide in a 2025 crash that killed 24-year-old Ethan Perry.
Barton, 41, initially pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of operating a vehicle impaired (OVI), following the June 21 crash in Dublin, Ohio.
On Wednesday, he changed his plea, admitting guilt to a single count of aggravated vehicular homicide.
The remaining charges were dropped as part of the agreement. The judge sentenced him to a prison term ranging from five to seven and a half years and ordered a permanent suspension of his driver’s license.
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“I am pleading guilty because I am guilty,” Barton said during the hearing.
Barton’s driving was considered extremely dangerous
According to prosecutors, Barton was driving his pickup truck in the wrong direction on US Route 33 in the early hours of the morning.
He attempted to turn around on the highway while traveling at extreme speeds-126 mph in a 25 mph zone, and 114 mph at the moment of impact.
His vehicle collided with Perry’s car, and the 24-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities reported that Barton had a blood-alcohol content of 0.242 percent, significantly above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Officers at the scene also observed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Barton later admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the crash.
The case highlights the devastating consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, particularly when combined. Beyond the legal outcome, it underscores how a single decision can permanently alter multiple lives.
For the Ohio State community and football fans, Barton’s past as a standout collegiate athlete adds another layer of visibility to the case, but the focus remains on the loss of life and accountability.
A tragic loss for the Perry family
Perry, described by friends and family as driven and creative, was an aspiring content creator returning home to continue working on his projects.
During the hearing, Perry’s mother, Roslyn, delivered an emotional statement addressing the loss of her son.
“Because of your selfishness, I will never be a mother of a groom or a grandparent,” she said. “Because of your selfishness, he doesn’t call me in the morning anymore.”
Friends also spoke about Perry’s character and work ethic. Benjamin Woods described him as someone deeply committed to his goals.
“He was going home on a Friday night to work on his dream,” Woods said. “The world could use more people like him… he was a gift in my life.”
Barton will begin serving his sentence under the terms set by the court, with the exact duration depending on parole considerations within the sentencing range.
The case may continue to resonate locally as a reminder of the dangers of impaired driving, while Perry’s family and friends face the long-term impact of their loss.