Derik Hamilton/AP NASCAR star Tony Stewart is now facing a wrongful death lawsuit after he struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. last August during a race in upstate New York.
Advertisement
“As Stewart’s auto approached Ward, who was standing on the track, Stewart climbed up, gunned his engine, causing his 700 horsepower vehicle to slide and strike Ward with his right rear tire, crushing Ward and flinging his body an estimated 25 feet down the track”, the lawsuit says.
A grand jury looked into charges of criminally negligent homicide and second degree manslaughter against Stewart but determined not enough evidence was present for an indictment.
The family of a man who was killed in a crash involving Tony Stewart on a Canandaigua track has launched a lawsuit. Toxicology results found marijuana in Ward’s system.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages.
Stewart is set to compete this weekend in Watkins Glen.
“Our son was truly the light of our lives and we miss him terribly every day”, Ward’s parents said in a joint statement Friday.
The lawsuit notes Stewart’s reputation for having a temper and claims that Stewart deliberately veered toward Ward after the collision.
Advertisement
Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo said in the subsequent press conference the grand jury was presented with two different videos of the incident that were enhanced to provide as much detail as possible, per USA Today. “Unfortunately I have a feeling it is going to be brought up a lot this week”, Stewart said Wednesday, via Pockrass. “Tony’s actions took the life of a marvelous young, talented man”.
