ERIE, PA (ERIE News Now) – Two Mercyhurst University student-athletes charged after a woman’s empty wheelchair was pushed down a flight of stairs at an Erie bar are scheduled to appear in court Monday morning.
Carson Briere, 23, 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.
They will appear before District Judge Sue Mack at 11 a.m. Both are being represented by private attorneys.
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 is the son of Philadelphia Flyers interim general manager and former NHL forward Danny Briere. He was removed the the Mercyhurst men’s hockey team after the incident.
Briere has since apologized, saying he’s “deeply sorry.”
Carrozzi is still 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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