CANANDAIGUA, United States: The family of racing car driver Kevin Ward slammed a US grand jury’s decision yesterday not to charge Tony Stewart with the death of their son, saying they will “pursue all remedies.”
Stewart, one of the most popular drivers in America’s NASCAR stock car circuit, struck and killed the up-and-coming 20-year-old driver during an August 9 dirt track race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York.
“The focus should be on the actions of Tony Stewart and not Kevin. The matter is not at rest and we will pursue all remedies, in fairness to Kevin,” the family told ESPN, after toxicology reports revealed that Ward had been under the influence of marijuana.
“Our son got out of his car during caution, while the race was suspended,” the family said.
“All other vehicles were reducing speed and not accelerating except for Tony Stewart, who intentionally tried to intimidate Kevin by accelerating and sliding his car towards him, causing this tragedy.”
Prosecutor Michael Tantillo said that almost two dozen people testified before the grand jury, including a number of race car drivers, racetrack employees and volunteers, two accident reconstructionists, medical personnel and several police officers.
AFP
