WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – The family of Kevin Ward Jr., who was struck and killed by a sprint car driven by Tony Stewart, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NASCAR driver.
Ward Jr., 20, was walking down the Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park dirt track toward Stewart's car during a caution period of an Empire Super Sprints race when he was struck last Aug. 9.
According to a release by the Lanier Law Firm, which represents Ward's parents, Kevin and Pamela, the suit was filed Friday in the 5th Judicial District for the Supreme Court of the State of New York in Lowville. Stewart is the only named defendant and the suit states he "wrongfully caused Mr. Ward's death by acting with wanton, reckless and malicious intent and negligence."
he suit claims that Stewart caused the accident that crashed Ward Jr.'s car initially, and citing his "unique race car and driving skills" and "extreme skill and control over his car" acted recklessly in revving his engine and not steering clear of Ward Jr. in the aftermath as other cars had. Ward Jr. died of blunt force trauma.
The suit does not state what the Ward family is seeking in damages. The suit contains four actions: wrongful death; terror, pain and suffering prior to death; intentional/reckless conduct; and gross negligence.
