NASCAR: Tony Stewart, Kevin Ward Jr.’s family reach settlement pending judge’s approval
By Asher Fair
Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Tony Stewart has reached a settlement with the family of Kevin Ward Jr. pending the approval of a judge.
This past December, a U.S. district judge David Hurd ruled that the civil lawsuit by the family of the late Kevin Ward Jr. against Stewart-Haas Racing team co-owner and former NASCAR Cup Series driver Tony Stewart could move forward.
Now, Stewart, 46, and the family of Ward Jr. have reportedly reached a settlement pending the approval of Judge Hurd of the Northern District of New York federal court. Terms and conditions of the settlement are set to be put on record on Thursday, April 12 in the Utica, New York courtroom.
Ward Jr. was killed at the age of 20 years old on Saturday, August 9, 2014 during an Empire Super Sprints race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in Canandaigua, New York. He was involved in an accident with Stewart, as both drivers were competing in the race and made contact during it. Stewart’s car bumped into Ward Jr.’s car and sent Ward Jr.’s car into the wall.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
As a result of this accident, Ward Jr., who was later revealed to have been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash, emerged from his wrecked sprint car shaking his fist. He was clearly upset at Stewart for the wreck.
It was at this point when Ward Jr. made his way down the track as the field approached where he was after his car came to a rest on the track following the wreck. As Stewart approached the scene in his car during the caution period, Ward Jr. continued shaking his fist and moving down the track toward at him.
Unfortunately as a result of the fact that Ward Jr. made his way so far down the track, Stewart ran into him. Stewart’s car ended up dragging his body across the track. Ward Jr. would later succumb to the injuries he sustained as a result of this incident.
Ever since the accident, the family of Ward Jr. have been trying to sue Stewart, who was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing about one and a half months after the accident on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. The wrongful death lawsuit they filed on Friday, August 7, 2015, is scheduled to go to trial in a few weeks.
Next: Top 10 most unbreakable records across Formula One, NASCAR and IndyCar
With a settlement between Tony Stewart and the family of Kevin Ward Jr. pending now and likely heading for approval by Judge David Hurd within the next week or so, do you see the legal aspect of this tragic situation finally being put behind us after nearly four years, or do you think there will continue to be headlines about it? As is the case with many situations involving a legal aspect, only time will tell.