Whether you're a NASCAR fan or not, you may have heard of Tony Stewart, who has had a long racing career and has broken several racing records. He's pretty much a hero in the sport. While racing in upstate N.Y. this weekend, Stewart hit and killed a 20-year-old driver named Kevin Ward Jr., and many are questioning whether it was an innocent accident or a deadly act of road rage.
The incident took place at New York's Candandaigua Motorsports Park and was not a NASCAR event. Before Stewart fatally hit him, Ward reportedly struck into Stewart's car, which resulted in his vehicle being pushed up against a wall and blowing out a tire. Ward got out of his vehicle and, while walking down the track, made an angry gesture at Stewart -- which is perfectly understandable given what had happened and how it pretty much knocked the young driver out of the race.
But then, as Stewart came around the track again, he fish-tailed and hit Ward, pulling him underneath his car before throwing him 50 feet down the track.
Ward was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Stewart has been cooperative with police and, as of now, their investigation is not criminal. While some witnesses believe Stewart sped up before he hit Ward, others argue the young man had no business walking in the middle of a racing track.
This whole horrible thing has been caught on video, which brings up the question of whether it's completely morbid or totally fine to view footage of this. So many young kids are NASCAR fans that it may also make parents think twice before allowing their children to watch a sport that can be violent and deadly.
Are you a NASCAR fan? What do you think about what happened between Stewart and Ward?
Image via Getty Images