Ward Family vs Tony Stewart mediation session fails to reach case settlement after 16 hours – Wrongful death lawsuit continues
The second mediation date has concluded in the civil lawsuit filed by the family of Kevin Ward Jr against Tony Stewart. The case against the former NASCAR Cup Series Champion, current sprint car driver and part owner of Stewart-Haas Racing will continue.
Next step: Stewart’s lawyer has motioned for partial summary judgement. His case will now be heard on June 23 at U.S. District Court located in Utica, New York.
Kevin Ward Jr was involved in an on track incident with Tony Stewart. Widely covered, Kevin Ward Jr lost his life on August 9th, 2014 as Tony Stewart’s sprint car struck Ward.
The crash took place during caution laps at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. The two wrecked during green flag racing. The following lap, under caution, Ward climbed from his sprint car in an all black racing suit. He then proceeded down the banking to voice displeasure with Tony Stewart. He was stuck and killed by the sprint car.
Tony Stewart was found not guilty in the criminal case against him. That case reached a conclusion with a verdict announced on September 25th, 2014.
Nearly a year after Ward’s death they returned to the court system. The Ward Family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Aug. 7, 2015.
A loophole exposed, Empire Sprint Series’ events were not listed as part of the coverage plan. A judge agreed. Tony Stewart appealed that ruling, then later withdrew his appeal.
His appeal has allowed the civil case of the Ward Family vs Tony Stewart to resume. Two mediation dates later, the next step will be Tony Stewart’s partial summary judgement on June 23rd, 2017.
A civil lawsuit will not necessary net the same verdict as the criminal case. In most cases, it does. However, most notably, the case of Brown and Goldman vs O.J. Simpson netted very different results. O.J. was of course found not guilt in the criminal case. While in the civil case he was found guilty, awarding the families $33.5 million.