The Ontario County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that a grand jury will determine if charges should be filed against NASCAR driver Tony Stewart for his involvement in a fatal accident during the Aug. 9 sprint car race at a dirt track in Upstate New York.
Stewart, a three-time champion in NASCAR's premier series, struck and killed another competitor, 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr., at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. The incident occurred during a caution when Ward climbed out of his car and then walked down the dirt track, pointing his finger in the direction of Stewart and apparently yelling at him to express his displeasure. The right rear of Stewart's car hit Ward and dragged him briefly across the track.
The caution came when Stewart and Ward made contact while battling for position, with Ward spinning out and hitting the wall.
Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo released a statement regarding the Stewart/Ward investigation, saying, "Over the past several weeks, I have reviewed with members of the Ontario County Sheriff's Department their investigation, as it progressed, in the Tony Stewart matter.
NASCAR is continuing to monitor Stewart's case.
