Sheriff: Stewart investigation will continue at least two more weeks
The investigation into Saturday night’s crash in which NASCAR star Tony Stewart hit and killed a sprint car driver standing on the track is expected to continue at least another two weeks or more.
Investigators continue to seek witnesses, gather evidence and reconstruct the crash in which a sprint car driven by Stewart struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr., 20, who was standing on the dirt track while the race at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park was under caution.
“It would be inappropriate to discuss details or findings of the investigation with the media at this time,” Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero said Tuesday.
Racing toward a turn on the half-mile dirt track on Saturday, Stewart’s car slid into Ward’s and pushed it into the wall. Ward’s car spun and hit the wall, and the race was placed under caution.
After the crash, Ward left his car, stepped quickly toward the infield and stood in the middle of the track, pointing in what appeared to be an accusatory way toward Stewart’s car coming toward him.
As Stewart approached Ward, his car appeared to speed up. Then the right of Stewart’s car hit Ward, knocking him several yards down the track. Ward was pronounced dead on arrival at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua.
Ward was one of the top young drivers on the Empire Super Sprint Series