In a tragic turn of events, former Ohio State lineman Kirk Barton has been charged following a harrowing car accident that resulted in a fatality. According to authorities, Barton was behind the wheel of his pickup truck and allegedly driving well beyond the speed limit when he struck another vehicle around 3 AM on Saturday. Unfortunately, the impact claimed the life of the other driver, who was just 24 years old.
Barton, who reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, was taken into custody and later transferred to jail after being treated at a hospital. He now faces serious legal repercussions, including a second-degree felony charge for aggravated vehicular homicide while allegedly driving under the influence. Should he be convicted, the consequences could be severe, with a mandatory prison sentence ranging from two to eight years hanging over him.
Following his arraignment on Monday morning, bail was set at $500,000 as he prepares for a preliminary court hearing scheduled for the first of next month.
Barton’s football journey began with an impressive career at Ohio State, where he earned recognition as an All-American and a vital player on the offensive line. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft but struggled to find his footing in the NFL, appearing in just one game after stints with various teams, including the Bears, Dolphins, 49ers, Bengals, Lions, Broncos, and Panthers.
Beyond football, Barton ventured into the media realm as a co-founder of Buckeye Scoop, a website dedicated to Ohio State athletics. However, the site faced challenges when it was banned by Ohio State’s athletic department for utilizing unauthorized practice footage in its reporting.
This incident marks another troubling chapter in Barton’s post-football life. Back in 2018, he encountered legal issues when he was arrested for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest at a golf complex in Dublin, Ohio. It remains to be seen how this latest situation will unfold, but it undoubtedly adds a poignant layer to his complex history since leaving the football field.
