PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The driver accused of causing the deaths of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew while they were biking on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, which is above the legal limit of .08 in New Jersey, a prosecutor revealed on Friday.
The tragic accident occurred on August 29, near the brothers’ childhood home in South Jersey. They were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding the following day.
Sean M. Higgins, 43, from Woodstown, New Jersey, faces two counts of death by auto, and additional charges including reckless driving, having an open container in his vehicle, and consuming alcohol while driving. During a virtual court session on Friday, a judge decided to hold Higgins for trial, after the prosecution highlighted his reported history of aggressive and reckless driving.
According to First Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn, when Higgins called his wife from jail after the incident, she expressed concern about his driving habits: “You were probably driving like a nut like I always tell you you do. And you don’t listen to me, instead you just yell at me.”
The defense painted a picture of Higgins as a family man who had generally been a law-abiding citizen before the crash that occurred at 8:19 p.m. “He’s an empathetic individual and he’s a loving father of two daughters,” stated his lawyer Matthew Portella. “He’s a good person who made a terrible choice that evening.”
Higgins reportedly told police he had consumed five or six beers that day and acknowledged drinking while driving, as indicated in the criminal complaint. He failed a field sobriety test and the prosecutor mentioned that he had been drinking at home after finishing a work call at around 3 p.m., following a distressing conversation with his mother about a family issue.
Afterward, he spent about two hours on the phone with a friend while navigating in his Jeep with an open container of alcohol. While driving, he was reportedly following closely behind another vehicle, exceeding the 50 mph speed limit, and tailgating at times.
Witnesses said that as the vehicle ahead of Higgins slowed down and steered left to avoid the cyclists, Higgins surged forward and swerved right, colliding with the Gaudrea brothers. “He indicated he didn’t even see them,” noted Superior Court Judge Michael J. Silvanio, who pointed out that Higgins’ impatience led to the tragic deaths.
If convicted, Higgins could face up to 20 years in prison, leading the judge to label him a flight risk. According to his lawyers, Higgins holds a master’s degree, works in finance for an addiction treatment company, and is a combat veteran from Iraq. However, his wife mentioned that he had been drinking more frequently since beginning to work from home.
Johnny Gaudreau, affectionately known as “Johnny Hockey,” enjoyed a successful 10-season career in the NHL and was entering his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a lucrative seven-year contract worth $68 million in 2022. He spent his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames and was recognized as one of the top players in the sport, beloved by fans across North America.
Their wives, Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau, expressed how deeply connected their husbands were throughout their lives. Both women are currently expecting and delivered poignant eulogies during a heart-wrenching double funeral on Monday. “I urge everyone to never drink and drive,” Madeline Gaudreau implored. “Call for a ride. Please do not put another family through this agony. The loss of Matty and John will create a permanent void in our family and community.”
When asking for bail, defense attorneys suggested that Higgins be allowed to drive only with a device that prevents alcohol consumption. They emphasized that he tested just over the legal limit and suggested that a recent knee surgery may have affected his ability to perform successfully on a field sobriety test. However, Flynn countered, arguing that the locking device would not address the root problem of Higgins’ aggressive driving behavior, which alcohol further escalated that day.
