Key facts
- Sean Higgins, 45, faces charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter.
- Higgins is accused of striking brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau with his vehicle while they were bicycling.
- Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, died at the scene of the crash on August 29, 2024.
- Higgins's blood alcohol level was reported as 0.087%, above the legal limit, though defense experts claim it was 0.075%.
- Higgins rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence.
- A judge denied Higgins's request to dismiss the indictment, ruling that a trial jury should weigh the evidence.
Sean Higgins, 45, has denied charges including aggravated vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter in connection with a crash that killed brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The brothers, aged 31 and 29 respectively, died at the scene on August 29, 2024, after being struck by Higgins's vehicle while they were bicycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. They were in the area for their sister's wedding.
According to court and police records, Higgins was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee and passed two vehicles before striking the brothers. Witnesses reported Higgins had been driving aggressively prior to the incident. A blood test conducted after the crash indicated Higgins's blood-alcohol level was 0.087%, which is above the legal limit in New Jersey. Higgins reportedly admitted to drinking beer before and during his drive and later admitted to throwing beer cans into a field.
Higgins's attorneys have challenged the blood alcohol test results, arguing that their expert indicated the level was 0.075%, below the legal limit. They also contended that not all relevant information was provided to the grand jury that filed charges. However, Assistant Salem County Prosecutor Michael Mestern stated that the defense attorneys were misreading the documents and that a second blood draw was conducted after an issue with the seals on the first.
During a May 11 hearing, Salem County Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio denied Higgins's request to dismiss the indictment, ruling that a trial jury, rather than a grand jury, should weigh the evidence from competing experts. Higgins has also rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence. His Jeep reportedly coasted about 1,500 feet after impact due to a loss of power.