A former Ohio State University football player accused of causing a June crash that killed a 24-year-old man is facing homicide charges.
A grand jury indicted Kirk Barton, 40, on July 30 with one count each of aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault, as well as two counts of operating a vehicle while under the influence.
According to court records, Barton had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 or higher at the time of the crash, which resulted in the death of 24-year-old Ethan Perry. The legal limit in Ohio is .08.
Barton, who previously posted a $500,000 bond, will have a formal arraignment on Aug. 13.
According to court records, Barton is accused of being intoxicated around 3 a.m. on June 21 when the crash occurred at the intersection of Bridge and Franklin streets in Dublin.
Barton was driving a 2025 Ford Raptor pickup truck, with the vanity license plate WISEMEN, headed west in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 33, or Bridge Street, before the crash, court records say.
Shortly before the crash, Barton turned his truck around to face the correct direction but was driving at what court records describe as "excessive speeds."
The pickup truck struck Perry's 2012 Lexus IS 250 and continued another 900 feet before coming to a stop.
Court records say Barton had a "blank stare" and glassy, bloodshot eyes when police got to the scene. He also admitted to drinking alcohol before driving, according to court records.
Perry's friends and family remembered him as an avid car enthusiast who worked hard and was always happy.
Who is Kirk Barton?
Barton was an offensive lineman for the Buckeyes from 2003 to 2007 and started at right tackle for four seasons.
He earned first-team All-American honors and was team captain for the 11-2 Big Ten championship-winning Ohio State team in 2007 before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the NFL draft.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at [email protected] or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former Ohio State football player Kirk Barton charged in fatal crash
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