The Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Bicycle Accident Case: What You Need to Know

A New Jersey man accused of killing NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, is facing additional charges after a fatal crash in August 2024.

Sean M. Higgins is facing multiple felony charges, including aggravated murder, handed down by a grand jury on Wednesday, December 10, The Columbus Dispatch report. Higgins, 44, is already facing two counts of vehicular homicide.

The brothers were struck and killed while riding in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on Thursday night, August 29 – the night before their sister’s wedding.. Johnny was 31, Matthew was 29. Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith and their two children, daughter Noah and son Johnny. Matthew is remembered by his wife Madeline who is pregnant with their first child.

Johnny and Matthew had returned to their hometown to fix their sister Katie Gaudreauthe marriage of.

“Knowing these two was loving these two,” Katie wrote on Instagram on Monday, September 2, alongside a slideshow of family photos over the years. “I have absolutely no words to express the bond my family had with them. The whole world knows that there would be no John without Matty or Matty without John. The biggest brothers a little girl could ask for. This will never be goodbye because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both. I will take very good care of mom, dad, Kristen, Mer, Madeline, and your children.”

Us Weekly He confirmed that the men were hit by a drunk driver who was then charged with their deaths. Higgins, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was taken into custody the night of the crash and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.

Keep scrolling to find out all about the Gaudreau brothers’ case:

What happened to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau?

According to New Jersey police, Higgins was driving behind two vehicles when he “attempted to pass a sedan and an SUV that were moving slowly.” After passing the sedan in the “southbound travel lanes,” Higgins “attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the center of the road, separating the north and southbound lanes to pass safely. two [bicyclists] going north on the right side of the road.”

However, when Higgins tried to pass the SUV on the right, he hit Johnny and Matthew “from behind” and caused them to receive “fatal injuries.”

Police reported that Higgins showed signs of intoxication, and admitted to drinking “five to six beers” before the crash, according to TMZ. Higgins was given field sobriety tests and failed them all.

He was booked and his gun was taken away. Higgins is being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility on two counts of vehicular homicide. In December 2024, Higgins faced additional criminal charges brought by a grand jury, including involuntary manslaughter. According to New Jersey’s criminal code, aggravated manslaughter — a first offense — occurs when the defendant “negligently causes death under circumstances showing gross indifference to human life.”

Is the case still open?

According to New Jersey State Police, the accident remains an active investigation.

Who is Sean M. Higgins?

Local news station FOX 29 Philadelphia reported that Higgins is a military officer with the Army National Guard. He was not at work when the accident happened. Aside from his military background, Higgins also worked for a rehab facility called Gaudenzia. The organization announced that Higgins is currently on leave following the incident.

Did Sean M. Higgins Appear in Court?

The day after the crash, Higgins appeared in court virtually, according to ABC affiliate WSYX. Judge Michael J. Silvanio shared that a sentencing hearing for Higgins was scheduled for Thursday, September 5. The judge also said both counts of vehicular manslaughter are “punishable by up to 10 years” in state prison.

He appeared before a judge for a preliminary hearing on September 5, but the hearing was postponed to September 13, according to TMZ. Higgins is expected to appear in court on January 7 to face the charge. Until then, he will remain in custody.