Photo Credit: Mike Holtsclaw
As the police investigation continues following the incident between Tony Stewart and Kevin Ward Jr. on Saturday night, Orange County Sherriff Phillip C. Povero announced on Sunday at approximately 3 p.m. EST that there will be no criminal charges filed against Stewart.
“At this moment there are no facts or evidence that would support a criminal charge or criminal intent,” he said. “This is right now being investigated as an on-track crash, and I don’t want to infer that there are criminal charges pending. When the investigation is completed, we will sit down with the district attorney and review it. But I want to make it very clear: There are no criminal charges pending at this time.”
Povero added that investigators are continuing to watch video from the incident, awaiting autopsy results and reconstructing the variables with regards to the crash.
During a sprint car event on Saturday night at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park, Ward Jr. was spun out by Stewart. He then got out of his car to display his displeasure, when Stewart’s car would make contact with Ward, sending him sliding across the track. Ward Jr. would be transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The family of Ward Jr. released the following statement, “We appreciate the prayers and support we are receiving from the community, but we need time to grieve and wrap our heads around all of this.”
Tony Stewart did not run Sunday’s event at Watkin’s Glen, as Regan Smith drove the No. 14 car for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Stewart issued a statement stating, ““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.”
Stewart was supposed to race at Plymouth Speedway this coming Saturday, though the speedway released a statement stating that Stewart will not run the event.
“We at Plymouth Speedway extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Kevin Ward Jr. and thoughts and prayers to Tony Stewart and his family. Tony Stewart will not be racing at Plymouth Speedway this Saturday. More information on the weekend’s racing will be announced this week,” the track said in the statement.
