PHILADELPHIA — The man accused of causing the deaths of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew while they were cycling on a rural New Jersey road has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Sean M. Higgins, 44, declined a plea deal that would have sentenced him to 35 years in prison during a brief court appearance in Salem County, New Jersey, on Tuesday. The case will now be prepared for trial.
Higgins’ legal team expressed optimism that they can demonstrate the circumstances leading to the tragic deaths were due to a series of unfortunate events rather than any wrongdoing. They characterized Higgins, a combat veteran, as someone who trusts the judicial process.
According to prosecutors, Higgins, a married father of two who was employed by an addiction recovery organization, had a history of aggressive driving behavior. It was reported that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident, having allegedly consumed five to six beers. He claimed to have been driving aimlessly for two hours, including moments of phone conversation with a friend after a tense discussion with his mother.
The brothers, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, ages 31 and 29 respectively, lost their lives near their family home in South Jersey just before their sister’s wedding.
A witness who was driving in front of Higgins informed authorities that he had been operating his vehicle aggressively. As she and another motorist attempted to bypass the cyclists by slowing down and moving left, Higgins allegedly accelerated and veered to the right, colliding with the Gaudreaus, according to her account.
Higgins reportedly registered a blood-alcohol content of .087, above New Jersey’s legal limit of .08, and did not pass a roadside sobriety test, as reported by law enforcement. He faces multiple charges, including two counts each of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide, along with charges of evidence tampering and fleeing the scene.
Defense attorney Matthew Portella described Higgins as a dedicated father who made a grave error that evening. Both he and the county’s prosecutors acknowledged the terms of the rejected plea agreement.
Johnny Gaudreau, affectionately known as “Johnny Hockey,” had played in the NHL for a decade and was about to begin his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after spending his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames.
