Former NFL Player Faces Serious Charges After Deadly Crash in Dublin Ohio

Tragic Collision Claims Life of 24-Year-Old as Former NFL Player Is Taken into Custody

A quiet morning in Dublin, Ohio, turned deadly on June 21 when a high-impact crash claimed the life of a 24-year-old man and led to the arrest of former Ohio State and NFL offensive lineman Kirk Barton. The early morning collision has sent shockwaves through the community, as Barton now faces a serious felony charge and a renewed spotlight on a history of traffic-related offenses.

The crash occurred around 3 a.m. on U.S. Route 33 near West Bridge Street in the city of Dublin, a suburban area just outside Columbus. According to officials, 40-year-old Barton was driving a Ford F-150 Raptor pickup truck eastbound when he collided head-on with a Lexus traveling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the Lexus, identified as 24-year-old Ethan Wence Perry, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe speed was a contributing factor in the crash, though they have not yet released an official estimate of how fast Barton was traveling at the time of the impact.

The violent collision left behind a scene of twisted metal and closed several key roadways — including West Bridge Street and North High Street — for more than seven hours as investigators worked to clear the debris and gather evidence.

Following the crash, Barton was transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Once released, he was taken into custody and formally charged with aggravated vehicular manslaughter, a second-degree felony under Ohio law.

He is currently being held at the James A. Karnes Corrections Center in Franklin County with no bond set. A court appearance has been scheduled in Franklin County Municipal Court on June 23.

If convicted, Barton could face a significant prison sentence, as Ohio law allows for a possible sentence of two to eight years for a second-degree felony involving the death of another person due to reckless operation of a vehicle.

Court records reveal that this is not Barton’s first encounter with law enforcement over driving-related offenses. Over the past two decades, he has faced multiple traffic charges, including an arrest in August 2017 for failure to stop and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. That charge was later reduced to reckless operation, resulting in a fine and a 180-day suspension of his driver’s license.

These past incidents are now likely to receive renewed attention as investigators and prosecutors evaluate Barton’s driving history and behavior leading up to the fatal crash.

Kirk Barton made a name for himself on the football field long before his legal troubles began. A standout offensive lineman at Ohio State University from 2003 to 2007, Barton started at right tackle for four seasons and earned first-team All-Big Ten and All-American honors during his senior year.

He played a key role in helping the Buckeyes secure an 11–2 record, a Big Ten championship, and a spot in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game. Though they ultimately fell to LSU in that game, Barton left Ohio State as one of its most decorated offensive linemen of the decade.

He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears but had a short-lived professional career, spending time with several teams before leaving the league in 2010.

The loss of Ethan Perry has left family and friends devastated. As the investigation continues, many in the Dublin community are calling for greater accountability and road safety awareness. The crash is a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can change due to a single moment of recklessness behind the wheel.

Police are continuing their investigation and may release further details as the case progresses. The focus now shifts to the courtroom, where Barton will face the consequences of a tragedy that could have been prevented.

As the case unfolds, the public will be watching closely to see how the justice system handles a high-profile defendant with a history of traffic violations. Meanwhile, the family of Ethan Perry mourns the untimely loss of a young life, forever altered by a crash that should never have happened.