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Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images
New Jersey man accused of murdering NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, face additional charges following the fatal crash in August 2024.
Sean M. Higgins faces a number of criminal charges, including aggravated manslaughter, which were handed up by a grand jury on Wednesday, December 10. Columbus’s dispatch reported. Higgins, 44, already faces two counts of vehicular homicide.
The brothers were affected and killed while riding in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on the evening of Thursday, August 29 – the night before their sister’s wedding. Johnny was 31, while Matthew was 29. They survived Johnny wife Meredith and their two children, daughter Noah and son Johnny. Matthew, for his part, is remembered by his wife Madeline, with whom he is pregnant their first baby.
Johnny and Matthew returned to their hometown to be groomsmen at their sister’s house Katie Gaudreauwedding.
“To know these two was to love these two,” Katy wrote via Instagram on Monday, September 2, alongside slideshow of family photos over the years. “There are absolutely no words to express the bond that my family shared. The whole world knows that there would never be John without Matty or Matty without John. The absolute best big brothers a little girl could ask for. This will never be a goodbye post, because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both. I will take the best care of Mom, Dad, Kristen, Meru, Madeline and your babies.”
Us Weekly confirmed that they are men hit by a drunk driver who was subsequently charged with their deaths. Higgins, who is from Woodstown, New Jersey, was taken into custody the night of the crash and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.
Keep scrolling to learn all about the Gaudreau brothers’ case:
Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau pose with Christian Carta. Courtesy of Matthew Gaudreau/Instagram
What happened to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau?
According to New Jersey State Police, Higgins was driving behind two vehicles when he “attempted to pass a sedan and a slower moving SUV.” After passing the sedan through the “southbound lanes,” Higgins “attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes when the SUV in front of Higgins moved into the middle of the roadway, splitting the northbound and southbound lanes for the safe passage of two (cyclists) traveling on the north right side of the road.”
However, when Higgins tried to pass the SUV on the right, he hit Johnny and Matthew “from behind” causing them “fatal injuries”.
Police said Higgins showed signs of intoxication and admitted to having “five to six beers” before the crash. TMZ. Higgins was administered field sobriety tests on the spot and failed them all.
He was fined and his photo was taken. Higgins was booked into the Salem County Correctional Facility on two counts of vehicular homicide. In December 2024, Higgins faced additional criminal charges brought up by a grand jury, including aggravated manslaughter. Under New Jersey criminal law, aggravated manslaughter — a first-degree felony — occurs when the defendant “negligently causes death under circumstances manifesting gross indifference to human life.”
Is the case still open?
According to New Jersey State Police, the crash remains an “active investigation.”
Who is Sean M. Higgins?
Local news station FOX 29 Philadelphia reported that Higgins is a field artillery officer in the Army National Guard. He was not on duty at the time of the accident. In addition to his military experience, Higgins also worked for a rehabilitation facility called Gaudenzia. The organization announced that Higgins is currently on leave following the incident.
Is Sean M. Higgins appeared in court?
The day after the crash, Higgins made a virtual court appearance, according to the ABC affiliate VSIX. Judge Michael J. Silvanio said a detention hearing for Higgins is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5. The judge also stated that both counts of vehicular homicide are “punishable by a maximum of 10 years” in state prison.
He appeared before a judge at a hearing on September 5, but the proceedings were adjourned until September 13. according to TMZ. Higgins is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 7 for a post-arraignment hearing. Until then, he will remain in custody.
