DDN – The guy accused of the hit-and-run that killed the Gaudreau brothers appeared in Salem County Court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty.
Sean Higgins, dressed in a green jumpsuit, came before a Salem County judge for the first time since a grand jury indicted him on counts of reckless vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
The brothers’ parents sat in the front row of the courtroom, as the entire family continued to deal with the tragic loss.
The hit-and-run occurred on August 29th, when NHL player Johnny and his brother Matthew were killed while riding their bikes in Oldmans Township. Police body-worn camera footage shows Higgins taking a sobriety test before being handcuffed.
“How much have you had to drink today?” a police officer asks in the footage. “I mean, I’ve been drinking beers, but I didn’t have one in two hours,” Higgins told him.
Investigators also accused Higgins of discarding objects that were considered evidence.
The Gaudreau brothers were in town to attend their sister Katie’s wedding, who, four months later, said in video and writing, “2024 I hate you.” You turned what should have been the best year of my life into the worst.
Matthew’s wife, Madeline, also posted on Instagram last week, after giving birth to their first child, Tripp, with the caption “Mommy and Daddy’s world.” Meredith, Johnny’s wife, is also expecting a third child later this year.
Back in court, prosecutors are giving Higgins an initial plea deal of 35 years in jail in exchange for pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter and leaving the scene.
Higgins’ lawyers say they need more time to thoroughly analyze the facts of the case, including the grand jury transcript, before a plea can be considered.
Higgins is expected back in court on February 4th.
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