Carson Briere, the 23-year-old son of the Philadelphia Flyers’ interim general manager, has been charged with pushing an empty wheelchair down a flight of stairs
The son of interim Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere has been charged after video posted to social media showed him and another Mercyhurst University athlete pushing an empty wheelchair down a flight of stairs.
Police in Erie, Pennsylvania filed criminal mischief, criminal conspiracy to commit mischief and disorderly conduct charges against Carson Briere, 23, who was playing his third hockey season at Mercyhurst.
Patrick Carrozzi, who is listed as a senior member of the school’s lacrosse team, faces the same three charges, according to documents filed with District Judge Sue Mack. The two are scheduled to appear in court on May 22.
Briere and Carrozzi can be seen on surveillance video at the top of a flight of stairs at a local bar pushing the wheelchair down the steps on March 11.
Police say their actions posed a potential hazard to anyone coming up the stairs while also creating a dangerous condition by blocking the stairs.
Carson Briere (L), the son of Flyers interim GM Danny Briere (R), has been charged by police
Video posted to social media showed Briere, 6, playing at Mercyhurst, and team-mate Patrick Carrozzi pushing an empty wheelchair down the stairs at a local bar
The wheelchair’s owner, identified as Sydney Benes, filed a complaint, saying the fall down the stairs damaged the left brake handle, shattered the right armrest’s plastic strip, bent a rear handle and caused the wheels to drag when driving forward. Benes said the wheelchair was bought a year ago and cost $2,000.
It’s unclear if Briere or Carrozzi have attorneys who can speak for them.
Briere and two other athletes have been provisionally suspended while the school investigates the matter.
A message for comment left with a spokeswoman for Mercyhurst’s sporting department was not immediately returned.
Last week, Briere, 23, apologized in a statement released via the NHL’s flyers.
“I am deeply sorry for my behavior on Saturday,” he said.
“There is no excuse for my actions and I will do whatever it takes to make up for this serious lack of judgement.”
Briere (No 6) apologized for his behavior last week, saying: ‘There is no excuse for my actions’
Danny Briere, who was promoted to head of the Flyers after Chuck Fletcher was fired two weeks ago, said he was shocked to see his son’s actions, calling them “inexcusable” while saying his son “accepts the full.” responsibility for his behavior”.
Mercyhurst previously released a statement saying the actions featured in the video are not consistent with the school’s “belief in the inherent dignity of every human being,” adding that the school’s “tradition also reminds us that students and all people who make bad decisions deserve opportunities to learn. Change behavior and pay for harmful actions.’
Carson Briere was previously fired from the Arizona State Hockey Club in 2019 after the school called a violation of team rules.