New disturbing details shared on Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s passings as killer breaks down in court
Sean Higgins is being held without bond as lawyers fear for his life. So much happened in Friday’s court appearance:
On Friday morning, the suspected drunk driver accused of striking and killing Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew last month appeared in court. Sean Higgins, who could be seen via a Zoom call, is facing multiple charges including vehicular homicide in the deaths of the brothers. They tragically died when they were stuck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on August 29, on the eve of their sister’s wedding, where both brothers were to be groomsmen.
As he faced Judge Michael Silvanio, Higgins appeared upset though he did not say anything during the hearing. The judge announced how he had “significant concerns” about Higgins being released from custody while his case was pending and ordered him to continue to be held in jail. Higgins coughed several times during the proceedings.
Matthew Portella, one of the attorneys representing Higgins revealed some of the new details, saying that his client’s blood alcohol level was “right at the legal limit” as it was said today that the driver’s alcohol level, which was obtained through a blood draw, was .087, over the legal limit of .08.
Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn however shared new evidence in circumstances when Higgins had been driving at a “high rate of speed” behind two vehicles, according to witnesses on the road, who both stated they themselves were driving about 55 mph, above the posted speed limit of 50 mph on the road where the crash occurred. The driver of the SUV that had moved to the left to avoid the Gaudreau brothers told investigators Higgins had accelerated past them on the right.
“She believed that she needed to take action, I would submit, as a driver in her position would to try to slow down and get around the cyclists so that she could continue on their way,” Flynn said. “There’s no suggestion from her statement that the cyclists were behaving inappropriately or swerving or did anything to bring this about.”
It was also revealed that Higgins claimed to officiers that he “didn’t even see the bikes,” and how he had admitted to drinking while driving the Jeep. The judge also feels there is road rage involved in the mix, saying that his driving was “road rage like behavior” with the acdeleration and tailgating alleged by prosecutors.
“He then decides to react to that by accelerating past the SUV on the SUV’s passenger side, the right-hand side, and that is, of course, when the impact results,” Flynn said.
“He is simply angry at the speed of the two vehicles in front of him,” he added.
His wife also shared some additional details when she revealed to investigators some personal struggles Higgins was facing at the time of the incident.
“We know that, according to Mr. Higgins’ wife, who was interviewed by the state police, this is a time where Mr. Higgins is working from home and it has had an adverse effect on him,” Flynn said. “Specifically, he has taken to drinking regularly.”
The court also hold recorded calls from the jail where he is being held on which Higgins reportedly made admissions to a relative and a friend, along with making statements about causing himself harm “over regret over what has happened” which worried everyone involved in the case. However Higgins’ lawyer now claims his client is stable.
“He told the troopers everything that happened,” Portella said. “He just took the lives of two people and upended families … The fact that he was suicidal, we understand that. He’s no longer suicidal.”
Before getting involved in this deadly crash, Higgins had worked as the director of financial services for a addiction treatment facility. Following the incident, he was fired from his job.
“He’s an empathetic individual and he’s a loving father of two daughters,” said his defense lawyer. “He’s a good person and he made a horrible decision that night.”
Higgins’ next court date will be a pre-indictment conference on Oct. 15. He faces up to 20 years.
On Monday, the Gaudreau brothers were put to rest in a very emotional ceremony. The widowed wives of the brothers shared emotional tributes of their husbands. Both women are expecting as Higgins is alive in jail and both Johnny and Matthew are no longer with us.
