Grand jury convenes to hear evidence over Ward death

Grand jury testimony began Tuesday in Canandaigua, N.Y., in the case convened by Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo to determine whether charges should be brought against NASCAR driver Tony Stewart for his role in the on-track incident that caused the death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr.

Chuck Hebing, who was driving in the Aug. 9 race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in which Ward was killed, confirmed to USA TODAY that he was called to testify about the accident but declined to reveal what had been discussed. Hebing's car appeared to steer around Ward just before Stewart's car fatally struck Ward, after the 20-year-old climbed out of his car and walked down to the middle of the track in an apparrent attempt to confront Stewart following an on-track altercation between the pair.

Tantillo announced Sept. 16 that he would take the evidence in the case to a grand jury following a month-long investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff's Dept. of all the available evidence. The grand jury can opt to indict or to dismiss the case. No time frame has been revealed for how long it will take for all the evidence to be presented to the grand jury, or for witnesses to present testimony.