WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Popular race car driver Tony Stewart ran over and killed another driver Saturday on a dirt race track in New York state.
Ontario County (N.Y.) Sheriff said via social media that there will be no criminal charges filed at this time against NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, who ran over 20-year-old Kevin Ward, Jr. as Ward appeared to enter the race track to confront Stewart after a crash.
Stewart said afterward, regarding the fatal accident that “There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. It’s a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason I’ve decided not to participate in today’s race at Watkins Glen. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
The accident took place Saturday, August 9 during the sprint car feature at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park.
VIDEO: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED
httpv://youtu.be/KcQdj2I_uTE
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Tonys a hot head but I don’t believe for 1 second he was trying to hit this young man. He just misjudged on how close he was and if his car kicked out to the right he had no idea how close this young man was. Now should he be penalized you darn right. He should be suspended until the outcome of all investigations are over and if manslaughter is levied against him he should not be able to drive until he goes to court.
Who are you calling a “darn right”?
I find it more than a whoops when several other drivers pass him and Tony the person who took him out of the race is the actual person who then struck the driver. No he should not have gotten out of his car. But it appears to me Tony thought he was going to teach him a lesson. I hope the lesson is taught to Tony and the family of this young man get to teach Tony a lesson in court and Tony goes to jail for man slaughter.
Also not suppose to get out of car until safety crew is there. And confrontations like this happen a lot but only when safety crew there. To me it was a plain racing thing that got this going. Open wheels touch and those cars can flip. By the way racing is a pretty safe sport. Better than highways.
An interesting take on the situation: http://www.motorsport.com/sprint/news/yes-tony-stewart-did-run-over-a-fellow-driver-who-was-killed-but-know-the-whole-story/
I watched the vidio of this accident and it is to bad it happened. However, at the speed they are traveling, and it being night there just is not a lot of time to react. Also, I am sure they were not looking for anyone on foot in the racing section of the track.