Thrashers’ Snyder Dies in Hospital

Atlanta Thrashers’ forward Dan Snyder died late Sunday night in an Atlanta hospital, never having awoken from the coma he was left in after a being involved in a horrifying car crash almost a week earlier.

Snyder, 25, suffered masive brain injuries when he was thrown from teammate Dany Heatley’s Ferrari. The Ferrari hit a brick wall and snapped in half after cutting across the road and jumping the curb.

Both players were ejected from the vehicle. Heatley was less-seriously injured, suffering only a broken jaw and two torn ligaments in his knee.

Snyder underwent surgery for a skull fracture and hopes for his recovery were high.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dan Snyder,” the Thrashers said in a statement. “Dan was a teammate and friend to all of us. We feel a tremendous amount of pain as an organization and extend deepest sympathies to his family.”

Snyder was expected to start the season on the injured list after he had surgery on his ankle before the start of training camp.

“The news of his passing fills all of us with an overwhelming sense of sorrow, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “The NHL extends its deepest sympathies to his parents who have lost a cherished son, to siblings who have lost a loving brother and to players who have lost a devoted teammate. Our prayers go out to his entire family.”

Heatley is currently listed by the Thrashers as out indefinitely. Aside form his injuries, he is also facing criminal charges stemming from the accident. The 22-year-old was already facing a felony charge of serious injury by vehicle and three misdemeanour charges. Those charges will likely be upgraded.

“It would likely be vehicular homicide first degree,” Sgt. John Quigley, an Atlanta Police Department spokesman said Sunday night.