Overview
- Barton, who pleaded guilty Wednesday, received a 5 to 7.5 year sentence in Franklin County and a lifetime driver’s license suspension.
- He admitted to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide as prosecutors dismissed a second homicide charge and two impaired-driving counts, telling the court, “I am pleading guilty because I am guilty.”
- Investigators say he drove the wrong way on U.S. Route 33, turned around, and struck Ethan Perry’s Lexus near Franklin and West Bridge streets in Dublin at 114 mph five seconds after hitting 126 mph.
- Officers reported glassy, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, and records show he admitted drinking with a measured blood-alcohol level of 0.242%.
- Perry, 24, died at the scene, while coverage has noted both Barton's public profile in Ohio State media and new details on speed and alcohol from court records.