An accused drunken driver charged in the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges Tuesday — after turning down a plea deal in the case.
Sean Higgins, 44, nixed a 35-year plea offer in the Aug. 29 incident that killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were fatally struck while riding their bikes in Oldmans Township, NJ — where they were due to attend their sister’s wedding the next day.
The brothers’ father Guy Gaudreau and other relatives were in court to watch the proceeding but declined comment, NJ.com reported.
Higgins ended up pleading not guilty to a slew of charges including manslaughter and vehicular homicide and now faces more than 60 years behind bars if convicted, Fox affiliate WSYX reported.
Accused drunken driver Sean Higgins turned down a 35-year plea deal in the deaths of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. AP
Prosecutors said Higgins admitted to chugging a half-dozen beers before he tried to pass a slower vehicle and slammed into the two brothers, killing both at the scene.
Prosecutors said Higgins admitted to chugging a half-dozen beers before he tried to pass a slower vehicle and slammed into the two brothers, killing both at the scene.
The tragedy intensified when the pair were buried Sept. 9, and relatives revealed at the time that Matthew’s widow, Madeline, was pregnant with their first child at the time of his death.
Johnny Gaudreau with his wife, Meredith, and one of the couple’s two children during a Columbus Blue Jackets game. @meredithgaudreau_/Instagram
Matthew Gaudreau and his wife, Madeline, who learned after her husband’s death that she was pregnant with his son. Madeline Gaudreau/Instagram
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were on a bike ride a day before their sister’s wedding when they were struck and killed by a drunk driver on Aug. 29. Matt Hatcher for the NYPostTheir son was born late last month.
Johnny Gaudreau and his wife, Meredith, had two young children.
Higgins, who failed a field sobriety test with a blood-alcohol level of .87 — just over the legal limit — was arrested after prosecutors said he dumped incriminating evidence before the cops showed up.
Follow the NY Post’s coverage on NHL star Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death at 31:
- Johnny Gaudreau’s 1-year-old son serenaded by fans on birthday in heartwarming scene
- Driver who fatally struck NHL’s Johnny Gaudreau and his brother says they were drunker than him at the time
- Accused drunk driver Sean Higgins pleads not guilty in death of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, his brother Matthew
- Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, brother struck and killed by car while riding bikes a day before sister’s wedding: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’
- Johnny Gaudreau’s wife honors NHL star with moving tribute after devastating alleged drunk driver crash: ‘Best years of my life’
- Matthew Gaudreau’s wife pays tribute to dad-to-be in heart-wrenching posts: ‘Never experienced pain like this’
- Canadiens star Cole Caufield reveals touching plan to honor Johnny Gaudreau
- Fans’ Johnny Gaudreau memorial leaves NHL’s Flames ‘speechless’
- GoFundMe for Matthew Gaudreau’s family has raised over $500K after tragic death
He was indicted Dec. 11 on two counts of reckless vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated manslaughter, and one count each of tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene.
Johnny Gaudreau was so skilled at the game that he was nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” earning the Hobey Baker Award while skating for the school before joining the NHL Calgary Flames — later skating for Team USA and, finally, the Blue Jackets. AP
Matthew Gaudreau was signed by the New York Islanders in 2017 and played with a minor league affiliate. He last played professional hockey in 2021. NHLI via Getty ImagesJohnny and Matthew Gaudreau were both stars on the ice at Boston College.
Johnny Gaudreau was so skilled at the game that he was nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” earning the Hobey Baker Award while skating for the school before joining the NHL Calgary Flames — later skating for Team USA and finally, the Blue Jackets.
Matthew Gaudreau was signed by the New York Islanders in 2017 and played with a minor league affiliate. He last played professional hockey in 2021.
Katie Gaudreau, the sister who was scheduled to wed the next day at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City, postponed the ceremony after the double tragedy.
