Kirk Barton pleads guilty, sentenced for fatal car crash that killed Ethan Perry

Posted on 3/25/2026

Defendant: Kirk Barton

COLUMBUS, OH – The man responsible for the crash that took the life of 24-year-old Ethan Perry will serve time in prison after entering a guilty plea today.
 
Kirk Barton, 41, pled guilty to Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a second-degree felony. Visiting Judge David Cain sentenced Barton to 5–7.5 years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, with 5 years as a mandatory term and a lifetime driver’s license suspension. The maximum sentence for an Aggravated Vehicular Homicide charge is 8 years. Following his release from prison, Barton will be on post release control for 1-1.5 years.
 
Background
 
On June 21, 2025, Barton was driving eastbound on U.S. 33 in Old Dublin when he collided with the rear of the car driven by Ethan Perry. Barton’s vehicle overtook Perry’s, causing it to roll off the road. Dublin Police determined Barton was traveling 126 miles per hour in a 25 mile-per-hour zone.
 
Ethan Perry was pronounced dead at the scene—a sudden and devastating loss for his family, friends, and the community that loved him.
 
A blood test later showed Barton’s blood alcohol level to be .242, nearly three times the legal limit.
 
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Ethan Perry. Ethan had his entire life ahead of him. While there are no words and no sentence that can ever ease the pain of losing him,” says Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Shayla D. Favor. “We pursued justice with care and accountability. Mr. Barton’s sentence and life-time driver’s license suspension ensures he’s being held accountable and will never legally drive again.”
 
We’d like to thank the Dublin Police Department whose efforts went above and beyond during the investigation.
 
Jeff Zezech and Michael Shaw were the prosecutors on this case.