Carson Briere Charged in a Wheelchair Incident in Erie

Carson Briere, son of Flyers GM Daniel Briere, is one of two Mercyhurst students facing charges in a case involving a wheelchair being pushed down a staircase.

Following a video appearing to show NCAA hockey player Carson Briere pushing a wheelchair down a flight of stairs, the Mercyhurst University student faces charges of criminal mischief related to damaged property, conspiracy to commit criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Pennsylvania court records show the charges for criminal mischief related to damaged property and criminal conspiracy to commit criminal mischief are both second-degree misdemeanors. Goerie.com first reported the news.

Also charged by Erie city police was Patrick Carrozzi, 21, a member of the Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team. Briere, 23, and Carrozzi await preliminary hearings scheduled for May 22 at 11 a.m. in the Erie Country Central Court. The charges have not been proven in court at this time.

The video shows the wheelchair, which belonged to Sydney Benes, was pushed down the stairs at Sullivan’s Pub and Eatery in Erie, Pa., while Benes was in the washroom. Benes, who had both of her legs amputated, was reportedly carried down the stairs by friends, leaving her wheelchair tucked away at the top of the stairs. The video showed what appears to be Briere sitting in the chair before pushing it down the stairs and returning to the pub.

According to a criminal complaint reported by goerie.com and The Athletic, the actions of Briere and Carrozzi are alleged to have “caused the left brake handle to not function properly, the plastic molding on the right arm rest to break, the rear handle is slightly bent, and the wheels are experiencing drag moving forward.” The wheelchair cost approximately $2,000, according to the complaint.

The charges laid by Erie City police come five days after Briere released an apology, alongside one from his father Daniel Briere, who is currently the GM of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.

“I am deeply sorry for my behavior,” Carson Briere said in a statement at the time. “There is no excuse for my actions, and I will do whatever I can to make up for this serious lack of judgment.”

His father, Daniel Briere, was hired to take over the role of GM with the Flyers only days before the incident following the firing of former Philadelphia GM Chuck Fletcher. The elder Briere, who spent 17 seasons in the NHL, said he was “shocked to see Carson’s actions,” which he called “inexcusable.”

Mercyhurst University released a statement on March 15 denouncing the act, saying “The action displayed in the video make our hearts heavy and fall short of our Mercy belief in the inherent dignity of each person.” The school did not announce consequences for Briere’s actions. Rather, the school said, “students and all people who make poor choices deserve opportunities to learn, change behaviors, and atone for harmful actions.”

Mercyhurst athletics, however, did suspend Briere and Carrozzi, along with an unnamed third athlete, indefinitely.