Tony Stewart's already impossible task of trying not to think about Kevin Ward Jr.'s tragic death a year ago just got tougher.
Multiple media reports are indicating that the family of Ward, who died after being struck by Stewart's vehicle during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in upstate New York on Aug. 9, 2014, has filed a wrongful death suit against the 44-year-old Stewart.
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"Our son was truly the light of our lives and we miss him terribly every day," Ward's parents said in a statement. "Our hope is that this lawsuit will hold Tony Stewart responsible for killing our son and show him there are real consequences when someone recklessly takes another person's life."
A grand jury cleared Stewart of any blame for Ward's death, calling it "100 percent an accident," according to Fox Sports.
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ESPN outlined the arguments by Ward's family.
"The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages the family is seeking in claims of wrongful death, reckless conduct, gross negligence and Ward's suffering between the time he was struck and his death.
"The lawsuit contends that Stewart gunned his 700-horsepower car as he drove by Ward, causing it to slide and strike Ward with the right rear tire, tossing him an estimated 25 feet.
"Stewart could have easily acted reasonably and with prudence to avoid striking Ward, just as all other drivers had done as they passed Ward during the yellow caution flag," the lawsuit states, according to ESPN. "Stewart acted with disregard for Ward's life and safety by driving his vehicle in a manner that would terrorize Ward and thereafter strike, severely injure and kill Ward."
Ward was found to have traces of marijuana in his system, according to an autopsy report days after his death.
"Kevin Ward would be alive today if not for the reckless and dangerous actions of Tony Stewart, who eventually will have to answer for what he did," said the family's lawyer, Mark Lanier, according to Fox Sports.
Stewart had yet to respond publicly.
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