NASCAR driver Tony Stewart ran over a fellow driver, during a sprint car race on Saturday night at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York. Victim Kevin Ward Jr., 20, died from injuries sustained from the incident, declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Captured in a video on Youtube, the incident shows the two cars coming out of a turn with Stewart's No.13 car coming up the track towards Ward Jr.'s No.13 car. The two appear to make contact forcing Ward's car to skate off and hit the wall. Another car narrowly avoids hitting the 13 car, stalled and facing the wrong direction.
Ward can be seen next getting out of his car walking the track, a car swerving to avoid him. He proceeds further down the middle of the track on foot, appearing to be yelling and pointing a finger to the fast approaching Stewart who had just finished circling a lap. Ward is struck, dragged under, and then thrown a number of feet up the track.
Ontario County Sheriff Philip C. Povero, in charge of the ongoing investigation has said, "Stewart has fully cooperated" and "He acknowledges the collision with the driver". Povero said it was an on track incident. "But I want to make it very clear, there are no criminal charges pending at this time," Povero also added.
Three time NASCAR racing driver Tony Stewart has since made this statement: "There aren't words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr.," Stewart said Sunday, according to a written statement tweeted by NASCAR. "It's a very emotional time for all involved. ... My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy."
Stewart's team director, Greg Zipadelli announced on Sunday Morning that the driver will not be participating at Glen Watkins NASCAR race also on that day.
"Our hearts go out to Kevin's family," Zipadelli added. "This is a very tough, very emotional time for everybody - his family, our family at Stewart-Haas Racing."
Stewart is a three-time champion in NASCAR's top division and also won a sprint car championship in 1995.
