No charges for NASCAR’s Tony Stewart who ran over, killed driver

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart has been questioned after hitting and killing fellow driver Kevin Ward on a race track in upstate New York on Saturday night, but Associated Press reports that no charges are imminent.

After what looked like a fairly routine car accident in which 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. spun out to the side of the track, Ward got out of his car and walked across the still-active track to confront Stewart, whose car was approaching at what Forbes describes as “less than racing speed.” Stewart’s car struck Ward and dragged him. Medics arrived immediately but Ward was declared dead on arrival at the hospital 45 minutes later. Video of the incident is below—warning, it is graphic and upsetting.

Local authorities said Stewart was cooperating with the investigation and that no criminal charges are planned.

“This is right now being investigated as an on-track crash, and I don’t want to infer that there are criminal charges pending,” said Sheriff Philip Povero. “When the investigation is completed, we will sit down with the district attorney and review it. But I want to make it very clear: There are no criminal charges pending at this time.”

AP reports that Stewart traveled to Watkins Glen International and plans to race at a NASCAR event there on Sunday.