Suspect in deaths of the Gaudreau brothers pleads not guilty

The driver charged with killing NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother while they were bicycling on a road near the family home in Salem County, pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Sean Higgins, 44, was arraigned in Salem County Superior Court on two counts each of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. He also was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence. 

Prior to Tuesday's hearing, Higgins turned down a plea offer from the state that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence. 

The deal would have been 30 years serve 85 percent under the No Early Release Act, with an additional five years with no minimum, Higgins' attorney, Matthew Portella, clarified.

The case will now move to trial. 

NJ police release bodycam footage arresting Sean Higgins after fatal accident killed NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother https://t.co/VH8lk5kVJp pic.twitter.com/59hDys85lE

— New York Post (@nypost) December 7, 2024

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, at the time a player for the Columbus Blue Jackets and formerly the Calgary Flames, and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were cycling together Aug. 29, the night before their sister's wedding. 

Higgins, of nearby Woodstown, who police say has a history of road rage, was driving aggressively and was trying to get around two cars that were in front of him on the roadway. 

One of the drivers told police that she and another driver slowed down and moved left to go around the Gaudreau brothers, but Higgins sped up to pass them and moved right, killing both cyclists. 

Higgins failed a field sobriety test and had a blood alcohol level of .087. The legal limit is .08. 

He told police he had five or six beers earlier in the day but had been driving around for two hours after an emotional conversation with his mother. He said he was intermittently on the phone as well.