The grand jury in the Tony Stewart case declined to charge the racing star with criminal charges in the death of driver Kevin Ward Jr., according to multiple outlets.
Ward died after being struck by Stewart's car in a race in New York on Aug. 9.
The prosecution in the case said Ward was under the influence of marijuana the night he was killed, according to The Associated Press.
BREAKING: Prosecutor: Driver Kevin Ward under influence of marijuana night he was killed by Tony Stewart.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 24, 2014
Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo said the victim, Kevin Ward Jr., was under the influence of marijuana the night of the accident "enough to impair judgment." And he said two videos examined by investigators showed "no aberrational driving by Tony Stewart."
NBC Nightly News tweeted a statement from Stewart
JUST IN: Tony Stewart on grand jury's decision: 'This has been the toughest and most emotional experience of my life' pic.twitter.com/Y1cWiPQXHZ
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) September 24, 2014
The decision came nearly seven weeks after Stewart's car struck and killed Ward during a dirt track race on Aug. 9. Stewart, the brash and popular NASCAR driver known as "Smoke," spent three weeks in seclusion following what he called a tragic accident before quietly returning to the Sprint Cup circuit. One of the biggest stars in the garage, Stewart has 48 career Cup wins in 542 starts but is winless this year and did not make the championship Chase field.
Tantillo could have determined the case on his own but last week said he would take it to a grand jury. Experts said it would have been difficult to prove criminal intent, but the prosecutor asked the grand jury to consider charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
