CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (AP) — A grand jury has decided against charging NASCAR star Tony Stewart in the August death of another driver at a sprint car race in upstate New York.

The decision was announced Wednesday, nearly seven weeks after Stewart’s car struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. at a dirt-track race on Aug. 9 in Canandaigua (can-uhn-DAY’-gwah). District Attorney Michael Tantillo also said Ward was under the influence of marijuana that night “enough to impair judgment.”

Ward had climbed from his car after it had spun while racing alongside Stewart. The 20-year-old walked down the track, waving his arms in an apparent attempt to confront the three-time NASCAR champion.

The front of Stewart’s car appeared to clear Ward, but Ward was struck by the right rear tire. He died of blunt force trauma.

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Tony Stewart’s Statement:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tony Stewart called the death of Kevin Ward Jr. “the toughest and most emotional experience of my life,” and asked that Ward’s death not be overlooked after an upstate New York grand jury declined to charge the NASCAR champion.

Ward was killed Aug. 9 when a sprint car driven by Stewart struck him during a dirt track race. In a statement, Stewart said the incident would stay with him forever, and he thanked his supporters and the thorough investigation into the incident.

Stewart said: “While the process was long and emotionally difficult, it allowed for all the facts of the accident to be identified and known. While much of the attention has been on me, it’s important to remember a young man lost his life.”