Grand jury testimony to determine whether charges will be brought against three-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart in the Aug. 9 incident that claimed the life of sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. began Tuesday.
Tony Stewart grand jury hearing convenes, per report
A grand jury has begun hearing evidence on whether Tony Stewart should be charged for his role in the death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr.
According to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Chuck Hebing, who was driving in the race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park where Ward was struck and killed by Stewart’s sprint car, was called to testify Tuesday.
Hebing was just ahead of Stewart when Ward was struck. Video shows Hebring appearing to swerve to avoid Ward, who had exited his car and was walking toward the bottom of the track. Hebring declined to speak after his testimony.
Ontario County (N.Y.) District Attorney Michael Tantillo announced Sept. 16 that he would present evidence from the investigation to a grand jury, but was noncommittal about when the proceedings would convene.
Following Ward’s death, Stewart skipped three consecutive Sprint Cup races before returning Aug. 31 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. After Tantillo’s decision to send the case to the grand jury, Stewart released a statement through Stewart-Haas Racing, the NASCAR team he co-owns.
“I respect the time and effort spent by both the Ontario County District Attorney and the Sheriff’s Office in investigating this tragic accident,” Stewart said. “I look forward to this process being completed, and I will continue to provide my full cooperation.”
There is no timetable for the grand jury to reach a decision. For Stewart to be charged, Twelve of the 23 grand jurors must conclude there is sufficient evidence for the case to continue to a trial jury.
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