Posted on 08/11/2014 6:21:03 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Will Tony Stewart face prison time for the collision that led to the death of another driver, Kevin Ward, Jr.?
According to Sports Illustrated legal analyst Michael McCann, it is possible.
McCann stopped short of saying that Stewart would face intentional homicide charges, but "he could face something called negligent homicide ... reckless, careless behavior that causes an accidental death."
"Because of the way [he] behaved so recklessly, [he] could be charged with a felony, and that felony carries up to four years in prison," he added.
McCann was clear in the interview that there were no pending criminal charges as of Monday afternoon, and that the discussion was speculation.
He also mentioned that more video and driver testimony could come, which could frame the possible charges that might come against Stewart.
"We don't know if other racers will give public testimony or if there are possible videos that could show more evidence against him," he said.
But all the experts on accelerating and sliding sprint cars are here and they say he’s guilty! /s
The cars were going 35 mph under caution. When you think about it... a NASCAR legend, one of the world’s best drivers, ran over a guy on the track while driving 35 mph under caution.
That sounds like a good law but this had nothing to do with NASCAR.
I agree... he misjudged it and clipped the guy. And it killed him. That’s about as simple as it gets.
Nobody had a good camera view so far that has been turned in that I have seen and they are still requesting such from spectators. Drivers were complaining of a dangerously dark track. Fishtailing was reported.
An investigation needs to be done. Inexperience on the part of the 20 year old played a BIG part in this. He should have stayed put. SMH
I don’t like Stewart either but I’ve seen enough racing both on dirt and pavement to know that the idiot was the one who took on a fight with a sprint car while on foot.
I don't follow NASCAR because it doesn't interest me.
People who do state that there is a reason why the cars have wings on them : to keep control, gain traction
At slow speeds , the vehicle is difficult to steer
There was a vehicle right in front of Stewart's car obstructing his vision
Stewart had a split-second to react to avoid the pedestrian (?) on the track
Gunning the engine is the fastest way to get traction to steer, especially if you are trying to get down closer to the inner circle.
Never wear black suit, during a night race , espcially if you are getting out of your car, and walk across a racetrack while the race is going .
Right! Don’t take on a sprint car while on foot!
Yeah. I had a lot to say on last evenings link. These jerks don’t understand even the basic physics involving motors and Sprint cars! That big fat tire is everything! It’s not only your traction, it’s also your steering! You lose traction on that tire, by a body passing under it, etc., the engine sees no load, and the revs will race up.
SO how many RPM was that engine turning while going 35 mph under caution?
Not to mention that the cars don’t really have a transmission or even a clutch. Blipping the accelerator is the way the engine is kept running at less than ideal speed.
Front wheels right, back end slides left.
“I am not a Stewart fan, but even if he - in an instant of anger - wanted to buzz the kid, give him the auto-racing equivalent of baseball’s “chin music”, that is not the same as deliberately trying to mow him down. And how could you prove that in a court of law?”
More like Involuntary Manslaughter - you acted stupidly and someone is dead...like killing someone in a drunk driving accident. I agree, murder-type charges, forget it.
Video from the stands is far more likely to pick up an audio accelerator blip from a car closer to the stands.
Reality check. Rule #1 in a race car accident DON’T get out of the car until the safety crew unless there is a fire. I drive with SCCA as a hobby and every racing school preaches this to you. Black race suit, black helmut, dimly lit dirt track,, he should have never been there. I’ve been there in the rain racing and it is an extremely challenging environment.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.
It is east to see what has happened. They were both pissed. Tony blipped the throttle. The rear end drifted up the tracked and wrapped the kid around the rear wheel. He was as good as dead instantly. I detest Stewart but I’m sure he was not intending to kill or even hurt the kid. He was probably trying to throw some mud. Bottom line: the boy got out of his car looking for trouble...he found it. Tony’s big time racing is finished. The civil suit will cost him somewhere in 8 figures. Charges aren’t likely unless there is some kind of obstruction or an audio smoking gun.
Hey, if you don’t want to be a roadkill, do not run in the middle of the track.
You see a lot of stupid crap like that on dirt tracks because they tend to be populated by amateurs.
Angry Driver Vs. Car Plus Fight After Race
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxLzZRiaBf0
SINCERELY,
JESSE VENTURA
” pick up an audio accelerator blip from a car closer to the stands.”
Yes! Much more likely it was a car on the front straight, where the vid was taken from. Even at caution speeds, these guys have to “blip” the pedal, or the engines are likely to flood and stall. Remember, no transmission, no gears, a direct hookup to the rear axle, with only a clutch in between. Clutch it, blip it, then back into direct gear.
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