Formal Plea in High-Profile Case
Sean M. Higgins, 44, the driver accused of killing NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in a fatal New Jersey crash, entered a not guilty plea to homicide charges on Tuesday. The court appearance in Salem County comes after Higgins rejected a prosecution offer of 35 years in prison, choosing instead to proceed to trial.
The charges stem from the August 29 incident, where Higgins allegedly struck and killed the brothers while they were cycling near their childhood home on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
Defense Cites “Unfortunate Circumstances”
Higgins’ defense lawyers argue the tragedy resulted from what they described as “uniquely unfortunate circumstances unlikely to ever occur again.” They emphasized that Higgins is a combat veteran and a devoted father, expressing confidence in the legal process.
Prosecution Alleges Impairment and Aggression
Prosecutors painted a different picture, alleging that Higgins was impaired after consuming five or six beers and had a history of road rage. On the day of the incident, Higgins reportedly spent two hours driving around while upset over a conversation with his mother, prosecutors said.
A witness told police that Higgins was driving aggressively and, after two cars slowed to pass the cyclists, sped up and veered right, striking the Gaudreau brothers. Police reported that Higgins had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above New Jersey’s legal limit of .08, and failed a field sobriety test.
Charges and Evidence
Higgins faces multiple charges, including two counts each of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. He is also charged with evidence tampering and leaving the scene of an accident.
Rejecting a Plea Deal
According to defense attorney Matthew Portella, Higgins had the option of a plea deal that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence. However, Higgins declined, signaling his intention to challenge the charges in court.
Portella described Higgins as a “loving father” who made “a horrible decision that night” but maintained that the prosecution’s portrayal does not fully reflect his character.
Remembering the Gaudreau Brothers
The deaths of Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, have drawn widespread attention. Johnny, nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” was a celebrated NHL player who spent 10 seasons in the league, primarily with the Calgary Flames, before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Matthew Gaudreau, a talented athlete in his own right, was remembered for his closeness to Johnny and their shared love of hockey.
