ONTARIO COUNTY, New York — NASCAR driver Tony Stewart won’t face charges in connection with the on-track death of sprint car racer Kevin Ward Jr., a New York district attorney announced Wednesday.
Stewart, a three-time NASCAR top series champion, was driving a dirt-track car when the right rear tire hit Ward, who was walking on the track as cars slowly circled during a break in an Empire Super Sprints series race August 9 in Canandaigua, New York.
Ward, 20, died of massive blunt trauma before paramedics could get him to a hospital.
The Ontario County District Attorney, said a grand jury found no reason to charge Stewart.
“After listening to and questioning all the witnesses and reviewing all of the evidence, the grand jury has decided that there is no evidence to charge Tony Stewart with any crimes.” District Attorney Michael Tantillo told reporters.
The Ontario County grand jury heard testimony from more than two dozen witnesses and reviewed photos and videos before making its decision, Tantillo added.
