Tony Stewart forever haunted by Kevin Ward Jr. tragedy

Nearly seven weeks after an unmistakable tragedy that took the life of a promising 20-year-old racer, there is finally an apt descriptor for the events that transpired: an avoidable accident.

There is no longer a cloud of suspicion over the events of Aug. 9, which involved Tony Stewart striking and killing Kevin Ward Jr. An Ontario County (N.Y.) grand jury absolved Stewart of any wrongdoing in Ward’s death Wednesday.

“The videos did not demonstrate any aberrational driving by Tony Stewart,” District Attorney Michael Tantillo said at press conference announcing the grand jury’s decision.

Throughout the investigation the word “accident” was commonly used in various statements by Stewart and members of the NASCAR team he co-owns, Stewart-Haas Racing. But until the announcement Wednesday there was nothing definitive nor official that what did occur was, in fact, an accident and not something more nefarious.

Now, though, a 23-member grand jury ruled conclusively in favor of Stewart. In the simplest terms, he was deemed to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time and did not intend to hit Ward with his sprint car.

The findings end what has been a tumultuous time for Stewart, when his character and moral fiber were repeatedly called into question. Countless times in the weeks since, Stewart’s reputation has been besmirched. Incidents from his past where he exhibited anger or rash judgment were often and unfairly used as examples of why he may have intended to do something that could put the life of another person at risk.

Through it all, those who know Stewart best vehemently defended him and his character. Yet despite his exoneration, the tragedy will forever be associated with the three-time NASCAR Cup champion, one of the best drivers of his generation.

Then, of course, there is the guilt that will likely haunt Stewart for an indefinable amount of time. In the immediate aftermath Stewart missed three consecutive Sprint Cup events, dealing with what was described as “quite a bit of grief.” Although it may be due to other contributing factors, Stewart has struggled on the track since returning, and it would not be impetuous to suggest that his thoughts were elsewhere.

“This has been the toughest and most emotional experience of my life, and it will stay with me forever,” Stewart said Wednesday in a statement.

Stewart’s innocence was not the only thing of note to come out from the grand jury hearing, which included testimony from more than two dozen witnesses, among them fellow drivers, accident reconstruction experts and police investigators. Despite being tasked to only determine if there was enough evidence to charge Stewart with manslaughter in the second degree or criminally negligent homicide, the grand jury did make a statement on who should be responsible for what unfolded.

A toxicology report indicated Ward was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident. Although the exact amount is unknown, it was enough “to impair” Ward’s decision making, according to Tantillo. That, accompanied with the fact that Ward walked onto a hot track with cars circling, makes it obvious why the grand jury reached its conclusion.

“I’m sure, from their deliberations and discussions, that the fact that Kevin Ward was observed running basically down two-thirds of the track into a hot track, into the middle of other cars that still were racing, played a big, big factor in their decision,” Tantillo said.

Nothing will change the events of Aug. 9. One young man died tragically and needlessly. Another’s career will perpetually carry a bit of tarnish, despite not having any direct responsibility.

The criminal case may be over, but the ramifications are everlasting.