A former NFL linebacker has pleaded guilty to killing a 24-year-old. The news was first reported on Wednesday evening and has completely shocked an entire community.
Here are the gruesome details.
Feb 2, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during Super Bowl LX press conference at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 2, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during Super Bowl LX press conference at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Former NFL Linebacker Kirk Barton Sentenced To 5 Years In Jail
A former Ohio State Linebacker, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears, was sentenced to at least five years in jail after he killed 24-year-old Ethan Perry. Kirk Barton will also never be able to drive again:
Barton was charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of OVI. He initially pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide. The other charges were dropped.
Additionally, the judge ordered that Barton’s license be permanently suspended.
On June 21, 2025, police in Dublin reported Barton was driving the wrong way on U.S. Route 33 when he turned around to correct his direction and hit 24-year-old Perry’s car with his pickup truck.
In court, the prosecuting attorney said Barton was going 126 mph five seconds before the crash and 114 mph at impact.
Perry was pronounced dead at the scene. Barton sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Kirk Barton's bond was set at $500,000 on Monday, June 23, 2025, two days after he allegedly caused a deadly crash in downtown Dublin. (WSYX)
Kirk Barton’s bond was set at $500,000 on Monday, June 23, 2025, two days after he allegedly caused a deadly crash in downtown Dublin. (WSYX)
The story continued:
Barton had a blood alcohol content of 0.17%, according to court documents. It was revealed in court that his BAC was 0.242%.
Barton spoke during his sentencing, expressing that he regrets the actions that took place in the crash.
“I am pleading guilty because I am guilty,” he said.
Perry’s mother Roslyn provided a statement in court on her son’s death.
“Because of your selfishness, I will never be a mother of a groom or a grandparent. Because of your selfishness, he doesn’t call me in the morning anymore,” she said.
Barton played for the Buckeyes from 2003 to 2007. The Chicago Bears drafted Barton in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
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