Kevin Ward Jr. family claims wrong man was on trial in Stewart case

Kevin Ward Jr.'s family continues to question the decision by an Ontario County (N.Y.) grand jury to clear Tony Stewart of all charges in the sprint-car accident that killed the 20-year-old Ward.

And the Ward family also is questioning the allegations that Ward was under the influence of marijuana during the accident, saying it does not believe Ward used marijuana in the hours before the race during which he died.

Ward was killed on Aug. 9 when he walked out onto the track under caution at Canadaigua Motorsports Park and was struck by Stewart's car. The grand jury reviewed the incident and cleared Stewart of all criminal charges in the case. Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo said in announcing the decision that a toxicology report showed that Ward had marijuana in his system at the time of the accident.

Ward's aunt, Wendi Ward, read an open letter to USA Today questioning the grand jury decision, marijuana allegation and Stewart's role in the accident.

"Why was the toxicology report even an issue? Seems to me the wrong man was on trial," Wendi Ward said in her letter to USA Today. "Tell me why Tony Stewart was not taken in for testing, why his car wasn't impounded? Tell me how a man the size of Kevin can make a sprint car turn to the right on impact. Tell me how a lap before (the incident) everything was fine, but the following lap was poor lighting. Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what caution means."

To read Ward's letter in its entirety on USA Today, click here.

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