By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-07 20:10:59 | Updated at 2025-01-08 17:20:49
21 hours ago
Sean Higgins, charged in the drunk-driving death of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, nixed a plea deal this week.
An accused drunk driver charged in the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges Tuesday — after turning a plea deal in the case.
Sean Higgins, 44, nixed a 35-year plea officer in the Aug. 29 incident that killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were struck and killed while riding their bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey — where they were due to attend their sister’s wedding the next day.
Instead, Higgins pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges including manslaughter and vehicular homicide and faces more than 60 years behind bars if convicted, Fox affiliate WSYX reported.
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 on Sept. 9 and relatives revealed that Matthew Gaudreau’s widow, Madeline, was pregnant with their first child at the time of his death.
Their 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.
He was indicted on 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 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 following day at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City, postponed the ceremony after the double tragedy.
