I apologize to the readers that don't follow sprint car racing, once in a while I will stray into other areas not related to college hockey or the NHL.
I am also a big time racing fans and this is a big development in the racing world and I covered this story extensively as it happen back in August. For those that don't know, Stewart is also the car owner of World of Outlaw's sprint car driver Donny Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota.
I think the most damning thing is the fact that Kevin Ward Jr. was under the influence of marijuana at the time of this incident. Actually, this announcement is kind of a shocker.
Jeff Gluck and Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports -- The Ontario County District Attorney's office took the evidence in Stewart's case to a grand jury, which found there was no basis for criminal charges, D.A. Michael Tantillo announced Wednesday.The fact remains, that a driver died in this incident and this will probably change Tony Stewart's life forever.
Tantillo said toxicology reports revealed that Ward was under the influence of marijuana at a high enough level to impair judgment.
Tantillo said there were two charges submitted for consideration by the grand jury against Stewart: manslaughter in the second degree and criminally negligent homicide. He said neither received the necessary 12 votes from the grand jury to charge Stewart. The grand jury heard the evidence and deliberated "over the better part of two days," Tantillo said.
Tantillo said Stewart was presented the opportunity to testify but wouldn't confirm whether he did.
Tantillo said two videos of the incident were examined and revealed there was "no aberrational driving by Tony Stewart."
Stewart still could face a civil suit from Ward's family.
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