Photo: Richard T Gagnon/Getty; Salem County Sheriff's Department
Sean Higgins, the New Jersey driver suspected of being under the influence when he struck NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, appeared in court for the first time on Friday, August 30. The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of the Gaudreau brothers, has shocked the sports community and fans alike.
Higgins, 43, from Woodstown, New Jersey, faced a virtual appearance before a Salem County Court judge, joined by a public defender. During the proceedings, Judge Michael J. Silvanio informed Higgins of the upcoming steps in his legal journey, including a detention hearing set for Thursday, September 5, after the holiday weekend, told TMZ.
When Higgins inquired, “So I’m here until Thursday,” Silvanio clarified that Higgins would be held for a minimum of 72 hours before the hearing. The judge also informed him of the charges: two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
Higgins expressed his intention to hire a private attorney for future proceedings. The fatal accident occurred on Thursday, August 29, when Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were biking near their hometown. The brothers were in town to serve as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the following day, as per reports WSYX.
According to the New Jersey State Police, Higgins was suspected of driving under the influence and was charged with two counts of death by auto. The statement detailed how Higgins, driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, attempted to pass slower-moving vehicles and struck the Gaudreau brothers, who were cycling on the right side of the roadway. The collision resulted in fatal injuries to both brothers.
The crash is still under active investigation, and no further details have been released. Johnny Gaudreau leaves behind his wife, Meredith, and their two young children: daughter Noa, who will turn 2 in October, and son Johnny, just 7 months old. Matthew is survived by his wife of three years, Madeline, who is currently pregnant with their first child.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, with whom Johnny signed a seven-year contract in 2022, expressed their grief in a statement shared on August 30, calling the deaths of Johnny and Matthew an “unimaginable tragedy.” The loss of the Gaudreau brothers has left a deep void in their family and the hockey community, with many mourning their untimely deaths.
