Hockey star charged in teammate's death

[TexasStooge]

ATLANTA (Court TV) — Atlanta Thrashers All-Star Dany Heatley was charged with vehicular homicide Monday, a day after teammate Dan Snyder died of injuries sustained when Heatley's sports car crashed into a wall.

The charge was based on a preliminary finding that Heatley was driving recklessly, according to Erik Friedly, a spokesman for the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. The charges is punishable by three to 15 years in prison.

Snyder, 25, died at a hospital Sunday night, six days after sustaining severe brain injuries in the wreck. Heatley, 22, suffered a broken jaw and torn ligaments in his right knee in the crash.

"We are overwhelmingly saddened and distraught over this tragic loss," the Heatley family said in a statement released by the Thrashers. "Dan was a genuine and caring individual, and a tremendous friend to us all."

Police said Heatley was driving his Ferrari at about 80 mph on a narrow two-lane road Sept. 29 when he lost control, spun off the road and smashed into a brick and wrought iron fence.

Heatley had already been charged with serious injury by vehicle, but that was dropped after the vehicular homicide count was filed. He still faces four misdemeanor counts, each of which are punishable by up to a year in prison. He is free on $50,000 bond.

Heatley's case has yet to be presented to a grand jury, which will decide whether to bring formal charges, Friedly said. Prosecutors are waiting for more evidence before taking their case to the grand jury.

Police expect test results to determine whether Heatley was drinking on the night of the wreck to be completed by the end of the week, Friedly said.

Snyder scored 10 goals and added four assists in 36 games for Atlanta last season. He had surgery on his ankle earlier this month before the start of training camp and was expected to start the season on the injured list

Heatley, the NHL rookie of the year in 2001-02, led Atlanta in scoring last season with a team-record 41 goals and 48 assists, and is the Thrashers' career scoring leader with 155 points. He scored four goals in the 2003 All-Star game and was selected the MVP. The former University of Wisconsin player was the second overall pick in the 2000 draft.

The Thrashers open the regular season Oct. 9 against Columbus.

[JCT777]

Wow! That is terrible.