Former Ohio State offensive lineman Kirk Barton is expected to take a major step in his criminal case on Wednesday, when he appears in Franklin County court for a hearing where prosecutors say he will enter either a guilty plea or an Alford plea in the crash that killed 24-year-old Ethan Perry. The charges stem from a high-speed collision in Dublin on June 21, 2025, that left Perry dead at the scene and Barton hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. If the plea goes forward, it would mark the first significant legal resolution in a case that has drawn close attention across central Ohio.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Barton, 41, is expected to plead guilty or enter an Alford plea, which would allow him to accept a conviction without directly admitting to the act. The Dispatch also reports that Barton may acknowledge he was intoxicated at the time of the collision. Courts reporter Bethany Bruner outlined the timing of the hearing and the expectation of a plea.
A news release from the City of Dublin states that the crash occurred at about 2:56 a.m. on June 21 on West Bridge Street near North High Street. Investigators say a Ford F-150 Raptor driven by Barton struck a Lexus driven by Ethan Wence Perry, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Dublin police reported observing signs of impairment, including slurred speech, glassy eyes and the odor of alcohol. Barton was treated at Riverside Methodist Hospital and then taken into custody. The official incident timeline and scene details are available from the City of Dublin.
A Franklin County grand jury later returned indictments charging Barton with aggravated vehicular homicide and multiple counts of operating a vehicle while impaired. A judge set his bond at $500,000. Those details, drawn from a review of court records, were reported by WOSU, which has followed the case through arraignment and indictment.
Legal Note: What an Alford Plea Means
An Alford plea lets a defendant plead guilty while still maintaining innocence, essentially accepting that prosecutors likely have enough evidence to secure a conviction at trial. Courts generally require a clear factual basis on the record before agreeing to accept such a plea. For more background on how Alford pleas work, see Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute.
What’s Next
If Barton enters a guilty or Alford plea on Wednesday, the judge can choose to accept it and then either set a sentencing date or schedule additional hearings, depending on the specific plea terms and any agreement between prosecutors and the defense. A plea would almost certainly avoid a jury trial but would still carry the full weight of a conviction for sentencing and other legal consequences if the court signs off on it. The Columbus Dispatch has reported that both sides have been negotiating the posture of the case ahead of the hearing.
Perry's death prompted sustained local coverage and community reaction, and both the city's release and the court filings remain part of the public record as the case moves forward. Local news outlets and official documents will continue to be the primary sources for developments, whether the judge accepts the expected plea or the parties ultimately land on different terms. We will watch for new filings and any rulings from the bench at Wednesday's hearing for immediate updates.
