Family of Kevin Ward Jr. files wrongful death lawsuit against Tony Stewart

The family of Kevin Ward Jr. filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Friday against Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart.

The family of Kevin Ward Jr. filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Friday against Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart, according to ESPN.

The lawsuit comes nearly one year after Stewart's car fatally struck Ward after Ward got out of his car and walked onto the track to confront Stewart during a sprint car race. It contains claims of “wrongful death, reckless conduct, gross negligence and Ward's suffering between the time he was struck and his death,” according to ESPN.

A grand jury in upstate New York declined to bring criminal charges against Stewart last September. The district attorney in the investigation said that Ward was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash, which was enough to impair his judgment.

The lawsuit alleges that Stewart “acted with disregard for Ward's life and safety” by gunning his car while driving by Ward, resulting in Ward being struck by the rear right tire and tossed about 25 feet.

In his first public remarks after the crash that killed Ward last August, Stewart said the accident is something that will “affect my life forever.” He has maintained that the crash was an accident. 

- Molly Geary