A tragic incident involving NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, has led to the driver, Sean M. Higgins, facing charges after a fatal accident on a rural New Jersey road. The court hearing on Tuesday granted prosecutors an additional 30 days to seek formal charges in the Gaudreaus' deaths, extending the legal process.
Authorities revealed that Higgins, who hails from Woodstown, New Jersey, was allegedly impaired after consuming alcohol before the accident. Reports suggest that Higgins had a history of road rage and aggressive driving behavior, which may have contributed to the fatal collision with the Gaudreau brothers.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, tragically lost their lives near their childhood home in South Jersey on August 29. The incident occurred just before their sister's wedding, adding to the family's profound grief. The Gaudreau family, including their father, Gus Gaudreau, refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal proceedings during the court appearance.
According to police statements, Higgins admitted to driving erratically on the day of the accident, citing an upsetting conversation with his mother as a contributing factor. Eyewitnesses reported Higgins driving aggressively and ultimately causing the collision with the cyclists, leading to the tragic outcome.
Following his arrest, Higgins tested above the legal blood-alcohol limit, indicating his impairment at the time of the accident. He now faces preliminary charges, including two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, and other related offenses. If convicted, Higgins could potentially face up to 20 years in prison, as determined by the presiding judge who deemed him a flight risk.
In his defense, Higgins' lawyer described him as a caring father of two daughters who made a regrettable decision on the night of the accident. Despite the legal proceedings, the defense attorney refrained from providing further comments following the court hearing.
Johnny Gaudreau, widely known as 'Johnny Hockey,' had an illustrious career in the NHL, playing for multiple seasons with the Calgary Flames and recently joining the Columbus Blue Jackets. The untimely loss of the Gaudreau brothers has deeply impacted the hockey community and their loved ones.
