Tony Stewart cleared by Grand Jury

Canandaigua (N.Y) September 24th. The Ontario District Attorney Michael Tantillo announced this afternoon that the Grand Jury had cleared tony Stewart of all charges of wrong doing in the tragic death of Sprintcar Racer Kevin Ward Jr.

The Grand Jury convened Tuesday and Wednesday after reviewing video evidence and witness reports of the accident that sadly took Kevin Wards life at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park. The race track’s video — which was in higher definition — was enhanced, examined and isolated frame-by-frame at low speed.

“During the course of the grand jury presentation, approximately two dozen witnesses testified,” Tantillo said. “These included a number of race-car drivers, race track employees and volunteers, two accident re-constructionists, medical personnel and a number of police officers. The grand jury reviewed a number of photographs and video recordings as well as other documentary evidence.”

“After listening to and questioning all the witnesses and reviewing all the evidence, the grand jury has determined that there is no basis with which to charge Tony Stewart of any crimes … Their job was to determine whether or not, based upon all the evidence they heard, there was reasonable cause to believe whether Tony Stewart had committed a crime or not. Obviously, they did not reach that finding.”

The District Attorney Tantillo revealed that toxicology evidence collected after Ward’s death had confirmed that traces of marijuana were in his system and it was considered that the amount was sufficient to have impaired his judgment
Tantillo, who acknowledged he had spoken with Ward’s father, Kevin Sr., said Ward Jr.’s actions after the contact with Stewart played a role in the grand jury clearing Stewart of wrongdoing, he added

As tragic as this accident was it is no time for the healing process to move forward. The impact on the lives of the Ward family will remain with them for the rest of their lives and the Speedway community will continue to remember and assist the recovery of the family.
We can’t forget that Tony Stewart will carry the hurt and pain no matter where is career heads.

This has been one of the most tragic and sad Speedway accidents of recent times but we should remember Speedway is dangerous and those competitors continue to take risks as they chase their dreams and passion for the sport.

Source National Speedsports.com