An Ontario County, New York grand jury deliberated less than an hour to reach a decision in the case involving the death of 20-year-old Kevin Ward, Jr. on Aug. 9 at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York.
According to a statement released by Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo on Wednesday, the grand jury determined that there is “no basis to charge Tony Stewart with any crimes”. The case was “no-billed” by the grand jury.
The Ontario County District Attorney in the state of New York has taken all evidence into the investigation into Kevin Ward, Jr.’s death to the grand jury.
Ward died after being struck by the rear of a sprint car driven by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart during a dirt track competition at Canandaigua Motorsport Park on Aug. 9. Ward and Stewart had contact on lap 14 which created a caution. It was during the caution when Ward exited his racecar and walked onto the dirt racing surface. Stewart passed by and hit Ward as he was approaching Stewart’s racecar. The impact resulted mortal injuries. Ward died of massive blunt trauma, according to an autopsy.
The investigation into the death of Kevin A. Ward, Jr. is complete, according to New York’s Ontario County Sheriff Philip C. Povero.
Ward died from injuries sustained after being hit by a sprint car on Aug. 9 at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in upstate New York.
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart and Ward had contact on lap 14 in a race in which they were competing which brought out a caution. During the caution situation, Ward removed himself from his car and walked onto the racing surface. As he neared Stewart’s racecar, the rear of Stewart’s car struck Ward. Ward sustained massive blunt trauma and died of those injuries.
The investigation into the death of Kevin Ward, Jr. in a sprint car accident on Saturday night at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York will continue for another couple of weeks.
Investigators are working on gathering evidence and developing a racetrack crash reconstruction, according to Sheriff Philip C. Povero of the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department. He stated that when a thorough investigation is complete, those involved with the investigation will meet with the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office and discuss all aspects of the investigation. It will be then when authorities may release information concerning the accident.
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will not participate in a meet and greet that was scheduled at the Newton Center in Lakeville on Thursday.
Officials at the Newton Center said that anyone who has already purchased tickets will receive a refund. Contact the Newton Center at (574) 784-2749 for details.
New York’s Ontario County Sheriff Phil Povero conducted a press conference on Monday evening to release the autopsy findings on Kevin Ward, Jr. Ward was fatally injured in a Sprint car accident at a dirt track in upstate New York on Saturday night.
In 2014 only, there were 38,724 such accidents — 4,000 fewer than in 2013. 2015 saw fatal collisions and injury collisions jump to nearly 40,000. In 2016, the number fell again, to less than 36,000. In 2017, the number of motor vehicle fatalities was 1,841; down 2.8% from 2016 (1,895). The number of serious injuries decreased to 9,960 in 2017; down 7.4% from 2016 (10,760).
According to a press release, Ontario County Coroner Kevin Henderson found that the cause of death was massive blunt force trauma. No other information regarding the autopsy findings will be released.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart will not be racing at Plymouth Speedway on Saturday. He was involved in a fatal accident Saturday night at a dirt track in New York with 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. Continue reading
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department is still investigating a Winged Sprint Car accident that happened late Saturday night at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in Canandaigua, New York. NASCAR driver Tony Stewart was racing in that event and was involved in the accident as the boston car accident attorneys declared at court.
A chp traffic report was released by the sheriff’s department and tweeted by NASCAR reporters explains that Stewart and Kevin Ward, Jr. had contact in the race and the action was operating under the caution flag. Ward left his race car and walked down the track onto the racing surface. According to the report, Stewart and another car were in tandem and approached Ward who was gesturing to the cars. The first car swerved to avoid Ward while Stewart’s rear tire struck Ward.
