Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
DULUTH, Ga. - Dany Heatley was charged Monday with vehicular homicide after the death of Thrashers teammate Dan Snyder.
A spokesman for the district attorney's office, Erik Friedly, said the charge was based on a preliminary finding that Heatley was driving recklessly. It carries a prison sentence of three to 15 years.
Snyder died Sunday night, six days after sustaining severe brain injuries.
Heatley also faces four misdemeanor counts, each punishable by up to a year in prison. He is free on $50,000 bail.
Heatley was driving his Ferrari about 80 mph on a narrow two-lane road Sept. 29 when he lost control, police said. Snyder had surgery for a skull fracture but remained in a coma until his death.
Prosecutors are waiting for more evidence before presenting the case to the grand jury, which would decide on the formal charges. Police also were awaiting test results to determine if Heatley was drinking.
Top three picks signPittsburgh reached terms with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, the top pick of June's draft.
Fleury's signing, for $3.72-million over three years, came a few hours after Carolina reached terms with forward Eric Staal, the No. 2 pick, and Florida signed center Nathan Horton, the No. 3 pick, on three-year deals. Financial terms for those deals were not disclosed.
In four preseason games, Fleury had Pittsburgh's best goals-against average (2.26) and save percentage (.923). But he had only until 3 p.m. Monday to reach terms or he would have been forced to return to juniors.
Coach Ed Olczyk said he doesn't know how much Fleury, 18, will play this season.
During the preseason, Staal, 18, has played on Carolina's top line with captain Ron Francis and all-star Jeff O'Neill. He scored seven goals in seven games.
In four preseason games with the Panthers this fall, Horton has three goals and one assist.