Sports briefs for October 6, 2003

Monday, Oct. 6, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.

All-Star Dany Heatley will face more serious charges after the death of Atlanta Thrashers teammate Dan Snyder, who never regained consciousness following a horrific car crash.

Snyder died Sunday night at Grady Hospital, the team said, six days after sustaining massive brain injuries in the wreck. He was 25.

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

Snyder was a passenger. The car split in half, throwing both players into the road.

Heatley already was facing several charges, including a felony. The charges will be upgraded, Sgt. John Quigley, an Atlanta Police Department spokesman, said Sunday night. He said investigators will meet with the district attorney's office today.

"It would likely be vehicular homicide first degree," Quigley said.

That charge carries a prison sentence of three to 15 years. A plea bargain to the lesser charge of second-degree vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor, also is possible.

Snyder, a center who had 10 goals and four assists in 36 games for Atlanta last season, had surgery on his ankle in September before the start of training camp. He was expected to start the season on the injured list.

Snyder signed with the Thrashers as a free agent in 1999.

Sharapova wins first

Russian Maria Sharapova won her first WTA Tour singles championship, beating Aniko Kapros of Hungary t win the Japan Open at Tokyo. Rainer Schuettler won the men's final.

UNLV falls to Riverside

Edgar Alejo scored twice to lead Cal-Riverside to a 4-1 victory against the visiting UNLV men's team (3-8). Rod Dyachenko scored the Rebels' goal on an assist from Jon Dunning.

Dalakhani wins l'Arc

French Derby winner Dalakhani held off long-shot Mubtaker by three-quarters of a length to win the $1.8 million Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Europe's most prestigious horse race.

Sooners hold top spot

Oklahoma and Miami remained 1-2 in the lastest Associated Press college poll, followed in the top five by Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Florida State. Polls, page 12D.