Tony Stewart will not face charges in deadly crash

Associated PressPublished: September 24, 2014

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2014, file photo, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart (14) sits in his car during final practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. An upstate New York grand jury has finished hearing testimony regarding Tony Stewart's role in the on-track death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward. The Ontario County District Attorney will announce the findings at 3 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (AP) -- A grand jury has decided against charging NASCAR star Tony Stewart in the August death of another driver at a sprint car race in upstate New York.

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

The decision was announced Wednesday, nearly seven weeks after Stewart's car struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. at a dirt-track race on Aug. 9 in Canandaigua (can-uhn-DAY'-gwah).

Ward had climbed from his car after it had spun while racing alongside Stewart. The 20-year-old walked down the track, waving his arms in an apparent attempt to confront the three-time NASCAR champion.

The front of Stewart's car appeared to clear Ward, but Ward was struck by the right rear tire and hurtled through the air. He died of blunt force trauma. Stewart skipped three races following what he called a tragic accident.

Filed Under: Tony Stewart

Categories: New Jersey News