Tony Stewart Won’t Be Charged In Kevin Ward Jr.’s Death

Breaking news this afternoon from NASCAR, driver Tony Stewart has been cleared by an Ontario County (NY) grand jury and he will not face charges in the August death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward, Jr.

It came to light before the grand jury that Ward was under the influence of marijuana the night of the on-track accident "enough to impair judgement." That's according to Ontario County DA Michael Tantillo. Two videos shown during the investigation determined "no aberrational driving" by Stewart.

Stewart's car hit and killed Ward at dirt track sprint car race August 9. The driver spent three weeks away from all racing before returning to Atlanta Motor Speedway on August 31. Stewart did not win a Sprint Cup race this year and though he was allowed to continue in the running for the Chase if he did win, he did not make the cut. NASCAR has since reinforced their rules concerning drivers not exiting their cars when an on-track accident occurs.