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Autopsy: Kevin Ward Jr. died of massive blunt trauma

Kevin Ward Jr. died of ''massive blunt trauma'' according to the Ontario County coroner, said county sheriff Philip Potero during a news conference Monday afternoon.
Autopsy results show Kevin Ward Jr. died of massive blunt trauma.

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — The investigation into a fatal crash involving NASCAR star Tony Stewart continues, but Ontario County sheriff Philip Povero said Monday there were currently no criminal charges pending.

"At this time, there are no facts that exist that support any criminal behavior or conduct or any probable cause of a criminal act in this investigation," he said.

"This is an open investigation. What I have just said is not indicative that the investigation is over or conclusions have been made, but that we are continuing to gather all information."

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Povero said the investigation into the incident in which a sprint car driven by Stewart struck and killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. at Canandaigua Motorsports Park was ''progressing well."

He also said an autopsy conducted Monday by the Ontario County coroner found Ward's cause of death to be massive blunt trauma.

Investigators are analyzing two spectator-filmed videos -- meaning they have another angle in addition to the one that has been circulating around YouTube since early Sunday morning.

There was no in-car camera in Stewart's car, Povero said.

Law enforcement officers returned to Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Mondayafternoon to look at the crash scene and take some other observations that might be relevant to the crash, Povero said.

The sheriff also said he was unable to talk about toxicology results or whether Stewart was tested after the crash.

Stewart and his representatives remain cooperative, Povero said, but he declined to give details on what Stewart told investigators.

Povero added there is no timeline to when the investigation might conclude.

"We would like to see resolution as quickly as possible, but by the same token we don't want to leave any stone unturned."

Ward Jr. was struck by Stewart's car after Ward exited his car and walked down the track under a caution period. Ward's body was thrown and he was fatally injured.

Funeral arrangements for Ward Jr. were announced earlier Monday. Visitation will be held noon-4 p.m. ET and 6-9 p.m. ET, Wednesday at Trainor Funeral Home in Boonville, N.Y., according to owner Carl Trainor. The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. ET, though Trainor said a venue has not yet been chosen.

Earlier Monday, Mike Arning, director of communications for Stewart-Haas Racing, told USA TODAY Sports that Stewart's sprint car schedule was indefinitely suspended and he was still mulling whether he would return to NASCAR this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

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"The decision to compete in this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Michigan will be Tony's, and he will have as much time as he needs to make that decision," Arning said in an email to USA TODAY Sports.

"It is still an emotional time for all involved, Tony included. He is grieving, and grief doesn't have a timetable."

Arning confirmed Stewart had canceled a planned sprint car event for Saturday in Indiana, and any racing beyond NASCAR "won't resume until further notice."

Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck

Contributing: Nate Ryan

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