Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo announced on Wednesday afternoon that an upstate New York Grand Jury decided that Tony Stewart will not face criminal charges in death of Kevin Ward Jr.

The grand jury, which found there was no basis for criminal charges based on evidence it analyzed.

D.A. Tantillo also announced that toxicology reports revealed that Kevin Ward, Jr. 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 testimony from two dozen witness (including drivers, track employees, medical personnel and two accident experts) "over the better part of two days" and deliberated for less than an hour before reaching the decision, Tantillo said.

 

CBS NEWS reports that Tony Stewart, in prepared statement, said “This has been the toughest and most emotional experience of my life, and it will stay with me forever, While much of the attention has been on me, it’s important to remember a young man lost his life. Kevin Ward Jr.’s family and friends will always be in my thoughts and prayers.”

 

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