Woman whose wheelchair was pushed down the stairs by NHL star's son blasts his ... trends now
The disabled woman who had her wheelchair pushed down a flight of stairs on camera by the son of a former NHL player has spoken publicly for the first time.
The woman, who goes by Sydney on social media, slammed hockey player Carson Briere and declined $8,000 raised for a replacement chair, while Mercyhurst suspended Briere and two others from all team-based activities.
Sydney made a statement Wednesday night on Twitter alongside a photo of herself with an employee of the bar where her chair was pushed, Sullivan's Irish Pub in Erie, Pennsylvania.
'Hi im Sydney and it was my chair that was pushed down the stairs. I’m so thankful for all of Sullivan’s help in this situation and the kind comments I see on Julia’s post,' she wrote on her Twitter account, @_legless_wonder.
She added that she's rejecting the cash raised on GoFundMe by Julia Zutkowski - who originally posted the video - that would've gone to getting her a replacement chair.
'I swear I really don’t wanna keep a cent of the donated money, I’d much rather give it to those who need it. '
In another tweet, she adds that the security staff at Sullivan's 'had Carson come apologize but it was very insincere,' claiming that after he apologized he immediately asked 'Do I still have to go?' after being asked to leave the bar.
Sydney (pictured), the disabled woman who had her wheelchair destroyed after the son of a former NHL player pushed it down the stairs ignored has spoken publicly for the first time, ignoring his apology and declining any funds raised for a replacement chair
The response came after Briere, a junior for Mercyhurst University's hockey team in Pennsylvania, admitted to having a 'serious lack of judgement' in a statement to DailyMail.com after he was caught on camera shoving the chair down a flight of stairs at Sullivan's last weekend.
His father is Daniel Briere, 45, a former NHL player who scored over 300 goals in his lengthy career. Briere, who was named interim general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers five days ago, called his son's actions 'inexcusable'.
Police in Erie confirmed to DailyMail.com that the investigation is still ongoing as of Thursday.
Mercyhurst confirmed the three athletes suspension from sports activities late Wednesday.
'After conducting an initial investigation into the incidents depicted on social media, the Mercyhurst athletics department has determined that three individuals in that video are student-athletes,' they said in a statement.
'We have placed all three on interim suspension from their athletic teams per school policy, pending the outcome of the investigative process.'
The shocking video shows Briere in a white baseball cap spotting the wheelchair at the top of the stairs before he scoots forward in it, stands up and shoves it down the steps.
The chair had been left at the top of the stairs after Sydney had been carried down to use the bathroom.
Carson Briere (pictured right), a college hockey player whose dad is a former National Hockey League star and is now a team executive has sparked outrage over a video in which he is seen pushing Sydney's wheelchair down the stairs at a party over the weekend
Carson Briere, 23, is a junior for Mercyhurst University's hockey team in Pennsylvania, after having been kicked out of Arizona State University for, in his words, 'too much partying.'
Zutkowski posted the shocking video Tuesday, writing: 'I usually don't post anything serious on my twitter but something happened Saturday night and just can't stomach the thought of this kid getting away with it. In the video below is a @MercyhurstU student and is currently on the @HurstMensHockey team. Carson Briere.'
She added: 'The chair was left on top of the stairs because she physically had to be carried down to use the restrooms. Which are only located downstairs.'
In a statement to DailyMail.com via the Flyers, Carson Briere said: 'I am deeply sorry for my behavior on Saturday. There is no excuse for
