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Mercyhurst University has removed Carson Briere from the men’s hockey team after video posted to social media last month showed him pushing an unoccupied wheelchair down a flight of stairs at a downtown Erie bar.
The university’s athletics department made the announcement in a statement on social media Monday afternoon.
Briere is one of two students who police charged in the incident. He and Patrick Carrozzi, 21, both face misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief resulting in damage to property and conspiracy and a summary count of disorderly conduct.
The incident happened March 11 at Sullivan’s Pub and was captured on surveillance video, which an employee posted to Twitter.
It shows people walking up the stairs at a local bar, and Briere and another man pushing an unoccupied wheelchair down the steps, causing damage to the wheelchair.
Briere, a Mercyhurst men’s hockey player, is the son of Philadelphia Flyers interim general manager and former NHL forward Danny Briere.
Briere has since apologized, saying he’s “deeply sorry.”
This is the second team from which Briere has been dismissed. He was also removed from the hockey team at Arizona State.
Carrozzi is listed on the roster for Mercyhurst’s men’s lacrosse team.
The owner of the wheelchair – Sydney Benes – lost her legs in a 2021 car accident. She told police the incident caused the left brake handle of the wheelchair to not work properly, the plastic molding on the right arm rest to break, the rear handle to become slightly bent, and the wheels to experience drag when moving forward.
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