April 16, 2023, was supposed to be a quiet Sunday for Ohio State football. The Buckeyes had just wrapped up their annual Spring Game at "The Shoe" less than 24 hours prior. Fans were buzzing about the quarterback race and the high-flying offense. But instead of headlines about touchdown passes, the news cycle shifted abruptly to a property in Liberty Township. Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes' star wide receivers coach and newly minted offensive coordinator, had been rushed to the hospital.
It was a UTV rollover. A side-by-side.
Basically, what happened was a late-night ride that went south fast. The Brian Hartline ATV accident occurred around 1:20 a.m. on Hartline’s own property. He wasn’t alone; a friend named Joshua Gaylor was in the vehicle with him. When the 911 call came in from Hartline’s sister, Jaimie, the tone was frantic. She told dispatchers she heard a "really loud scream" after a four-wheeler went out to check on them.
🔗 Read more: WIAA Boys Basketball Tournament: Why It’s Still Wisconsin's Greatest Tradition
The Reality of the Crash Scene
When deputies from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrived, they found a flipped vehicle and two injured men. Hartline was on the ground. It wasn't some minor fender bender. Both men were transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.
Initially, the university released a statement saying the injuries were non-life-threatening. That’s a relief, obviously. But the police reports added layers to the story that most people sort of gloss over. According to those reports, Hartline admitted to medics that he had been drinking earlier that night.
The deputies noted a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" in the hospital room.
Honestly, this is where the conversation usually gets heated. Some fans defended him, saying it was private property and a mistake made in the heat of a celebratory post-spring game night. Others pointed out the legalities. In Ohio, you can technically be charged with an OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) even on your own land if you’re operating a motorized vehicle. The redacted police report actually listed a potential charge of driving under the influence.
Why No Charges Were Filed
Despite the "alcohol involved" tag in the sheriff's report, Brian Hartline was never charged with a crime related to this specific crash. Why? It's complicated. For one, the accident happened on private property. While the law allows for OVI charges in many settings, prosecutors often look at the severity of the situation and whether other people were endangered.
👉 See also: Did Venezuela Qualify For The World Cup: Why Most Fans Are Heartbroken
- The passenger, Joshua Gaylor, was a friend.
- The crash didn't involve other vehicles.
- Hartline was cooperative with medical staff.
By the time Monday afternoon rolled around, Hartline was released from the hospital. He took to social media—what was then Twitter—to tell everyone he was "doing well" and thanked people for the support. He admitted he "crashed my side by side" and was just getting evaluated.
The Fallout at Ohio State
The timing was terrible. Hartline had just been promoted to offensive coordinator in January 2023, replacing Kevin Wilson. He’s arguably the best recruiter in the country, the man responsible for the "Wide Receiver U" reputation. Having your new OC in the news for a 1 a.m. UTV flip involving alcohol isn't exactly the "Buckeye Way" that Ryan Day preaches.
Day eventually addressed it during an NIL event later that week. He kept it brief. He said Hartline was "resting up and doing much better."
There was a lot of talk about whether this would hurt his coaching trajectory. Hartline is a Canton native, a former Buckeye player, and a guy who spent seven years in the NFL with the Dolphins and Browns. He’s local royalty. But even royalty has to deal with the optics of a 1 a.m. accident.
In May 2023, Hartline finally spoke to the media about it. He didn't offer a play-by-play. He just said, "In hindsight, I probably would have rather went to bed instead of riding a side-by-side."
That’s a pretty honest take. Most of us have had those "I should have just gone to sleep" moments. His just happened to involve a motorized vehicle and a trip to the ER.
Nuance in UTV Safety
People often use "ATV" and "UTV" interchangeably, but they aren't the same. An ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) is usually a straddle-seat quad. A UTV (Utility Task Vehicle) or "side-by-side" is more like a small rugged car with a roll cage and steering wheel. They feel safer because of the cage, but they are incredibly prone to rollovers if you take a turn too sharp or catch an edge at high speeds.
Add alcohol to that mix? It's a recipe for a flip.
The fact that Hartline walked away from this without permanent injury or legal trouble is, frankly, lucky. It serves as a reminder that even "private property" doesn't negate the physics of a heavy machine or the potential for a DUI.
Moving Forward From the Incident
Since that 2023 accident, Hartline has stayed out of the blotter and focused entirely on the field. He’s continued to develop NFL-caliber talent like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. If anything, the Brian Hartline ATV accident became a footnote in a high-profile career, a "teachable moment" that didn't end in tragedy.
🔗 Read more: Why Female Commentators on ESPN Still Face a Massive Double Standard
If you own a UTV or are planning to ride one, there are actual lessons to take from this:
- Skip the Night Rides: Visibility on private property is deceptive. Holes and dips you know by heart during the day become invisible at 1 a.m.
- Alcohol and Engines Don't Mix: It sounds like a PSA, but even one or two drinks can mess with the reaction time needed to correct a tipping UTV.
- The Law Still Applies: Just because you're behind a gate doesn't mean you're in a lawless zone. In states like Ohio, motorized vehicles are regulated regardless of where the tires are spinning.
To stay updated on the legal and safety requirements for off-roading in your area, check the local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guidelines. They provide specific maps and safety certification requirements that can prevent these kinds of midnight mishaps. Focusing on proper helmet use and speed governors is the best way to ensure a post-game celebration doesn't end in a hospital bed.