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| Kevin Ward, Jr. |
An Ontario County (NY) grand jury declined
to indict former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart today in the
death of Sprint Car driver Kevin Ward, Jr. Ward’s family, however, seems determined
to press onward with a civil suit against Stewart.
A statement from
the family sent to various media members today said, “Our son got out of his
car during caution when the race was suspended. All the other vehicles were
reducing speed and not accelerating except for Stewart, who intentionally tried
to intimidate Kevin by accelerating and sliding his car toward him, causing the
tragedy.
“The focus should
be on the actions of Mr. Stewart. This matter is not at rest and we will pursue
all remedies in fairness to Kevin.”
In other words " We're gonna sue the snot out of him" It's another tragedy that money will soothe.
ReplyDeletehe was high as a kite driving a racecar he lost his life it is a tragedy but Tony should not give them a penny it was their son's fault I hope he takes it to court and they don't get a penny maybe the father should realize his son was as high as a kite driving a race car and could have killed somebody else will have that then OK
ReplyDeleteI hope the judge laughs this out of court, the "Under the Influence" in the toxicology report will put a HUGE damper on their case. They'd also better hope, if they had life insurance on Kevin, that it doesn't get the claim dropped because of the marijuana use.
ReplyDeleteA lawsuit isn't going to bring him back and when the drug use comes out, it's really going to make them look bad.
Apparently the Ward family wants to extract their "pound of flesh" from Tony, regardless of the facts. The loss of a son is a tragedy, but to "pursue all remedies in fairness to Kevin" is not the way to honor his memory.
ReplyDeleteSo This Family has a PRICE TAG FOR THEIR SON....REALLLY....
ReplyDeletethey want to honor Tony Stewarts money, not their son's memory.
ReplyDeleteClearly this is a family trying to deal with a unthinkable loss, and as the public see's it they're not doing it well. My heart breaks for them. However, blaming TS does not bring back their son, neither will the millions they will seek in civil charges. I can't imagine TS letting it get to court, can't imagine him reliving that night for himself or Kevin's parents. I would hate to see him give a payout to keep it out of court also, maybe a donation to a DUI awareness campaign would determine if the Ward family is looking for their "pound of flesh" or just not wanting this to happen to another young driver. As a race fan I'm pleased that no criminal charges will be brought. As a race fan I'm also so sad for both families.
ReplyDeleteEnough already. Every one needs to let it go.it was a tragedy. A terrible accident. It's time for both families to start healing.life will and does go on If you go forward and not stuck in yesterday
ReplyDeleteYou let it go according to YOUR senses. Others according to theirs.
Deletethe main thing everyone is forgetting is the kid got out of his car....period!
ReplyDeletehe must have a anger management issue on top of a drug problem ....
so again I say "he was the one who got out of his car & chose to act like a stupid young kid........... end of story!!!!!
When you are campaigning a racecar you spend hours and hours at the racetrack for practice and prep etc. The smell of marijuana is very easy to detect so was the father not aware of the driver doing this drug? He probably turned a blind eye to this thinking that this made his son a better competitor, or settled his nerves or for whatever reason. Surely he knew about his son's habit. If I had the least inkling that my son drank or did drugs, legal or illegal, before he stepped in his racecar, I would take action to make sure that car did not run. They should do an investigation in the club that he ran in with as much effort as they did going after Stewart and find out if drug use was a common practice in the club. In our club, if any of the team members or any of the friends of the driver are caught with alcohol during the race, the whole team gets thrown out.
ReplyDeleteThis is what grief can do. It will not bring their son back and will bring them no comfort in the end.
ReplyDeleteI pray that this family will one day be able to find peace. I don't believe suing Tony will help them do that, however.
ReplyDeleteGrief is a horrible thing......having to bury a son. Let it go....no one is thinking straight.... We all make mistakes, his cost more than most. but I do agree....no way to honor his memory.
ReplyDeleteThe family is suffering, I'm not sure I could be in my right mind if I just lost my son
ReplyDeleteThere will be a civil suit....Tony will lose a lot of money......Attorneys will be the winners.......
ReplyDeleteThis gives new meaning to 'substance abuse'. Ward's parents are going to have a tough road to hoe with the fact of their son being stoned while driving a race car and then getting out to play 'big man' with Tony Stewart. I wonder if he'd have had the same 'courage' if he was straight? We'll never know but he grand jury found Tony not at fault, maybe the parents should just leave it at that.
ReplyDeleteThere's no way to discern the level of intoxication if any, with marijuana. It's not heroin, meth, cocaine...ad nauseum! Sadly, even in 2014 so many people need educating about the effects of mrijuana.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that in a civil case Tony Stewart's lawyers will be vicious and nasty to protect their client.
ReplyDeletedrug addicts shouldn't get to drive race cars
ReplyDeleteIf the Ward family really wants to honor their son ...Why don't they sat down with Tony and start up a charity in Kevin's name....And ask Tony to donate so much money a year .....Am sure Tony would be more then happy to help.....If Tony's name is a attached to a charity am sure they can raise a lot of money for a good cause....
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this will be the course Smoke takes. It sure is the best outcome to a terrible tragedy.
DeleteWhen will the family see IT WAS KEVINS FAULT!!!!! He CHOOSE to get out of his car. Durning s race that is known for unpredictability due to the type of car they race. The family needs coubcling. And LEAVE TS alone. Tony's life will never be the same, all because Kevin couldn't & wouldn't control himself.
ReplyDeleteSome pretty venomous replies to this. The kid made a huge mistake that cost him his life. I think he's paid in full. The responses, name calling, and the overall holier than thou attitudes of most of these replies is disgusting, and says more to me about the people writing, who I know beyond a doubt have never strayed from the straight and narrow, and always do the right thing, than the family who lost a son, and the son himself.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope your glass houses never come crumbling down around you. But, being model citizens, and tithing your share, I'm sure it will never happen.
Damn shame.
C'mon, Dave. One of the cardinal rules of your show has always been civilized discourse. The open bashing of the Kevin Ward family going on here is not something you'd allow on your show, and typically not allowed here. Yes, Kevin Ward, Jr got out of his car - his mistake cost him his life. The family has every right in this country to sue Tony Stewart - just like Ron Goldman's family had the right to sue OJ Simpson. Is the situation the same? Absolutely not. But it's their right to sue if they choose. They'll win or they won't. Are there better ways to honor their son - charities and such as already mentioned? Possibly. But the way they see it, Tony hit and killed their son, and they want him held responsible - which does not make them money hungry. They'll win or they won't. Beyond that, folks need to ease up on this grieving family.
ReplyDeleteThis is not Sirius XM Speedway, Dwayne. I don't get paid a dime to babysit people's comments here, and I'm not interested in doing it. If (when) it gets too bad, I'll simply disable the comments option and stop all of it, forever. Police yourselves, or take your chances with the ramifications.
DeleteAmen Dave
DeleteI'm wondering why one or some of his fellow competitors couldn't tell he was on dope, and have him barred from racing. Or is this a normal thing at this or any other race track. If I was driving a race car and knew one of my competitors was driving high, I would certainly bring it to the attention of the race officials.
ReplyDeleteHave you not heard that anger is one of the stages of grief? Especially for one lost at a young age and so unexpectedly? I guess compassion is a lost art. Ellen, JJ's grlfrnd
ReplyDeleteI hope that when this finally ends. In some way, either financial or striped of his ability to do this again, Stewart is held accountable. It's disturbing that the 50 million NASCAR brings to NY enabled the "get out of jail free" card handed Stewart by DA. How did Stewart's reenactment expert provide information to grand jury? Where'd the third spectator video go? Anyone without an agenda can see he's responsible for negligence. He understood his actions could possibly harm Ward and or put Ward in danger.
ReplyDeleteNever let a complete and total lack of knowledge keep you from spouting off on the internet, my friend! Anonymously, of course.
DeleteWhen will the family see IT WAS KEVINS FAULT!!!!! He CHOOSE to get out of his car. Durning s race that is known for unpredictability due to the type of car they race. The family needs coubcling. And LEAVE TS alone. Tony's life will never be the same, all because Kevin couldn't & wouldn't control himself.
ReplyDelete