Grand jury indicts man accused of drunken-driving crash that killed Gaudreau brothers
Sean M. Higgins was indicted on two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide and related offenses in the deaths of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew on Aug. 29 in Salem County.
A grand jury has indicted a 44-year-old man accused of a drunken-driving crash in late August that killed National Hockey League star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother as the men rode bikes in Salem County.
Sean M. Higgins of Pilesgrove Township was indicted by a Salem County grand jury on two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide and two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter. The charges also include one count of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, and one count of second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident, Jeffrey J. Barile, executive assistant prosecutor with the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, said in an email Wednesday.
Higgins’ attorney, Richard F. Klineburger III, said in an email that he could not discuss the allegations and was waiting to review additional evidence.
“It would be unfair to both Mr. Higgins as well as the general public to make a statement until a full evaluation and review has been completed,” Klineburger said.
“We understand the public’s interest in this matter, and we appreciate the media’s patience and respect for the ongoing investigation,” he said. “We will provide additional information and statements in the future, as appropriate. For now, we ask that the public and the media respect our efforts to ensure a fair and impartial process.”
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were taking an evening bike ride Aug. 29 in Oldmans Township when, authorities say, Higgins fatally struck them from behind with his Jeep Grand Cherokee as he tried to pass two other cars.
Police later said Higgins’ blood-alcohol content was 0.087 that night; the legal threshold for intoxication in New Jersey is 0.08.
The Gaudreau brothers were set to appear as groomsmen in their sister’s wedding the next day.
Both brothers played hockey at Boston College. Matthew Gaudreau went on to play in the minor leagues and coach youth teams. Johnny Gaudreau, who was nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” joined the NHL, playing eight seasons with the Calgary Flames and two with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
A funeral for the brothers was held in September in Delaware County.
Higgins is a Drexel University graduate and an officer in the Army National Guard who, prior to the crash, worked at an addiction services provider in Pennsylvania. A New Jersey judge in September ordered Higgins to remain behind bars until his trial, expressing concerns about his road rage and his potential suicide risk.
Last week, New Jersey State Police released body camera video showing Higgins struggling to perform a field sobriety test and telling officers he was “freaked out” by the situation.