The man accused of driving drunk and killing hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, pleaded not guilty Tuesday after rejecting a plea deal that would have included a 35-year prison sentence.
Sean Higgins, 44, faces two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, one count of leaving the scene of a deadly accident and one count of tampering with evidence.
Prosecutors confirmed at Tuesday’s hearing in Salem County, N.J., that they offered Higgins a 35-year prison sentence in exchange for him pleading guilty to some of the charges. However, Higgins turned down the offer and decided to take his chances at trial.
Katie Gaudreau with her brothers, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver. (Instagram / Katie Gaudreau)
Defense attorneys said they planned to request some of the charges be dropped, according to NJ.com. Higgins did not speak at the hearing, instead keeping his head down as his lawyers spoke for him.
According to police, Higgins was driving drunk on Aug. 29 on a rural road in Salem County when he attempted to pass a vehicle in front of him.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding bicycles on the right side of the road. They were in town for their sister’s wedding the next day.
Johnny Gaudreau of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of a game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on January 2, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
While the other driver moved left to pass the Gaudreau brothers safely, Higgins swerved right and slammed into them, according to investigators. His blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.087 at the scene, above the New Jersey legal limit of 0.08.
Higgins admitted to officers at the scene that he had downed seven to eight beers before the crash, according to prosecutors.
Defense attorneys said they will argue that “a combination of uniquely unfortunate circumstances unlikely to ever occur again” led to the Gaudreau brothers’ deaths, not any “malfeasance” on Higgins’ part.