Sean Higgins Emotionally Muttered Few Words, Described as ‘Model Citizen’

The suspected drunk driver accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew Gaudreau emotionally muttered few words as he was described as a “model citizen” on Friday.
Sean Higgins, 43, is facing multiple charges including vehicular homicide in the deaths of the brothers. He allegedly fatally struck 31-year-old Johnny Gaudreau and 29-year-old Matthew Gaudreau while they were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on August 29.
Higgins appeared at the proceeding via Zoom from jail.
Prosecutors and defense offered conflicting depictions of Higgins as they argued their case.
“Prior to this incident, he was being what we would call a model citizen,” Higgins’ lawyer, Matthew Portella, said. “He was an excellent student, an athlete, a leader.”
After graduating from school, Higgins joined the military.
“He committed himself to fight for the freedoms of our country and defend our country,” Portella said.
Portella said he has also received character letters from members of the community “on a daily basis.”
“These upstanding individuals who have written letters, which we’ve submitted, describe Mr. Higgins as a well-respected and loved individual in the community,” Portella said.
Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn argued that Higgins should be kept in jail. Through his argument, he revealed new details about the alleged crime and the circumstances surrounding it.
“We know that, according to Mr. Higgins’ wife, who was interviewed by the state police, this is a time where Mr. Higgins is working from home and it has had an adverse effect on him,” Flynn said. “Specifically, he has taken to drinking regularly.”
Flynn said Higgins admitted to state police that he was drinking in the vehicle. He also discussed a jail call Higgins had with his wife.
“The wife was very upset with him, ‘I told you before not to do that stuff. You don’t listen. I’m done. You were probably driving like a nut, like I always tell you you do. You don’t listen to me. Instead, you just yell,'” Flynn recounted the wife’s comments during the call.
Higgins grew emotional at several points during the proceeding, seen shaking his head, looking down and rubbing his face multiple times. Besides his reaction, he did not say anything except “yes, your honor,” when spoken to directly by the judge.
Flynn also laid out the events leading up to the deadly accident. He stated that a motorist driving an SUV on the road that night noticed two cyclists.
“She believed that she needed to take action, I would submit, as a driver in her position would to try to slow down and get around the cyclists so that she could continue on their way,” Flynn said. “There’s no suggestion from her statement that the cyclists were behaving inappropriately or swerving or did anything to bring this about.”
A person driving a sedan behind the SUV also noticed the cyclists and also began to go around them.
“The driver of the sedan, like I said, perceives the cyclist, and she also perceives the defendant, Mr. Higgins, who she describes as approaching her at a high rate of speed, falling back, approaching again at a high rate of speed,” Flynn said. “And then what happens, Judge, is a combination of events. Mr. Higgins decided that he is going to not only overtake the sedan, but he’s also going to overtake the SUV.”
Flynn claimed Higgins believed the SUV was trying to block him from passing.
“He then decides to react to that by accelerating past the SUV on the SUV’s passenger side, the right-hand side, and that is, of course, when the impact results,” Flynn said.
Flynn alleged Higgins began drinking after work on the day of the accident.
“He has a conversation with his mother about a family matter that upsets him. He then gets into the Jeep that was involved with the accident,” Flynn said.
Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio sided with the state and denied release for Higgins.
“There’s an abundance of evidence that the defendant not only operated his vehicle while impaired, but he did so in not just an aggressive manner, but in an overly aggressive manner,” Silvanio said. “Motor vehicles are clearly dangerous instrumentalities, and they can and do, in many cases become lethal. Especially when one operates not only under the influence but in what apparently was an aggressive manner, operating at an excessive rate of speed and by the defendant’s own admission consuming several beers prior to operating the vehicle, apparently even during his operation of the motor vehicle.”
Higgins has seven days to appeal the decision.
Higgins’ next appearance will be held in person at Salem County Superior Court on October 15 at 9 a.m.
Higgins was ordered to remain in custody until at least Friday. He is being held at Salem County Correctional Facility.
Gaudreau, 31, was a forward on the Columbus Blue Jackets. His career in the NHL began in 2011 when he was drafted to the Calgary Flames. He was often called “Johnny Hockey.”
The funeral for Gaudreau brother was held St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania on Monday. The widowed wives of the brothers shared emotional tributes of their husbands.
“He never spoke badly about anyone,” Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, said. “Most humble person I’ve ever met, zero ego, quiet, sweet and shy. He was everything, more than I only dreamt about finding in a husband, and then he made all my dreams come true.”
Meredith and Johnny shared two young children, Noa and Johnny. She revealed that she is pregnant with her third child at the funeral.
“I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby, a total surprise, but again John was beaming and so excited,” she said. “I was so nervous because this was, again, a total surprise, but his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me, even though I was driving the car.”
Madeline Gaudreau, Matthew’s wife, is also pregnant. She spoke about how excited Matthew was for the arrival of their first child.
“The moment we found out about our son, Tripp, it consumed his every day,” Madeline said. “He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when we first heard Tripp’s heartbeat.”
She also spoke out against drunk driving.
“I urge everyone to never drink and drive, call a ride,” she said. “Please do not put another family through this torture. The loss of Matty and John will leave a hole in the family, with his close friends, the community for eternity. However, their legacy will live on through the lives of everyone they touched, their kids, their wives, their parents, their siblings.”
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