The drunk driving suspect, who has been accused of killing Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew, has been identified as 43-year-old Sean Higgins.
#BREAKING : Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, NJ charged with two counts of death by auto of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.#JohnnyGaudreau #JohnnyHockey #JohnnyGaudreau #Matthew #ColumbusBlueJackets #NewJersey #Accident #AmericanIceHockey #NHL #SeanHiggins pic.twitter.com/8ElVMtgc2L
— upuknews (@upuknews1) August 30, 2024
In view of the tragic incident that happened on Thursday night, Higgins has been hit with two charges of death by auto, after he drove his Jeep Grand Cherokee into the Gaudreau brothers as they were riding their bikes Thursday night in Oldmans Township.
Sean Higgins tried to pass a car on the left, got mad when the next SUV tried to block him from merging in, tried to pass it on the right, and hit their bikes. 5 to 6 beers is undoubtedly a lie. I am *seething* watching him sigh like that because the judge won't let him go home https://t.co/3qfU5NXjKq pic.twitter.com/PC8byhpJ7v
— Chris OIIey (@chrisoIIey) August 30, 2024
To note, during the virtual court proceedings on Friday, Higgins was wearing an anti-suicide smock. Despite not saying much, he appeared to be demoralized while listening to the judge, who said he will have to spend extra days in jail because of the weekend and upcoming holiday, before a trial is scheduled.
"The statutes and court rules require me to hold you over for a minimum 72 hours before your hearing," the judge stated to him. "Because we have a weekend and a Monday holiday, 72 hours becomes Thursday."
Alleged drunk driver who fatally struck Johnny Gaudreau, brother lets out exasperated sigh as he’s ordered held another week behind bars https://t.co/DcBkFhRQeO pic.twitter.com/f5Pf7Gf0Ho
— New York Post (@nypost) August 30, 2024
After visibly appearing dejected about having to stay in jail, the defendant did mention that he intends to hire a private attorney to represent him in the case. With this in mind, the judge informed Higgins the next steps to take for that, as he had asked about this, citing he didn't know how to connect with someone from behind bars.
All in all, considering the tragedy that happened on Thursday night, Higgins previously admitted that he had drunk "5-6 beers" before hitting the backs of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on their bicycles.
Even more, it was just hours before the brothers were set to appear in their sister Katie's wedding, which was to take place today on Friday, but has now been canceled, as the family is grieving the loss of their own.
