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The Ohio State University community is reeling after former standout offensive lineman Kirk Barton has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide following a tragic car crash late Saturday morning.
Local authorities say the 40-year-old was driving at high speed when his Ford F-150 Raptor collided with a Lexus, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Ethan Wence Perry.
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Police reported that Barton appeared impaired at the scene, with glassy, bloodshot eyes and a blank expression. He suffered non-lifethreatening injuries and was treated at a nearby hospital before being taken into custody in Dublin, Ohio.
The ex-NCAA player remains held at Franklin County Jail, and is scheduled for his first court appearance this week.
From Gridiron glory to legal turmoil
Kirk Barton’s football legacy runs deep: as a right tackle, he started at Ohio State from 2003 to 2007, served as team captain, and earned first-team All-American honors.
His leadership helped the Buckeyes reach national championship games, and he later signed with the Chicago Bears in 2008, appearing in one NFL game before transitioning into off-field roles – including his position at Buckeye Scoop covering Ohio State athletics.
Fans and teammates have flooded social media with shock and grief. A statement from Buckeye Scoop expressed profound sorrow: “We are heartbroken for Ethan Perry and his loved ones. This is a tragedy.”
Prayers and condolences have poured in from alumni, former teammates, and fans across Ohio State’s tight-knit football community-many praying for both the victim’s family and Barton’s legal journey.
A life transformed now at a crossroads
Barton had navigated past legal issues before: in 2018, he faced a felony assault charge and has a history of traffic-related offenses. Those details resurfaced amid reports from Dublin police and court records.
As the investigation continues, the community is grappling with the collision’s ripple effects – from the loss of a young life to the legacy of a former athlete turned media figure – and the charges carry serious implications.
Aggravated vehicular homicide in Ohio is a felony that could result in lengthy imprisonment if Barton is convicted. Prosecutors will likely probe whether Barton’s alleged impairment or recklessness played a role in the crash, and the legal process ahead is expected to be lengthy and complex.
Barton is expected to appear in court on Monday, marking the start of what could be a protracted legal saga. With no bond set at present, he remains in custody. The Buckeye community, still mourning both the victim and the fallen athlete, is bound by uncertainty – struggling to reconcile the image of a former sports hero with the gravity of the event.
This incident raises broader questions about accountability, athlete conduct after the limelight, and community responsibility when tragedy strikes. For Ohio State, it’s a moment of deep reflection – on safety, support, and how the university holds its past stars accountable.
As prayer circles form online and vigils emerge on campus, the human toll is evident. And in the coming weeks, the legal system will seek answers, the Ohio State community will search for healing, and Barton will face profound legal and moral reckoning.
This news was originally published on this post .
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