Driver charged in deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau pleads not guilty to indictment

The driver that was charged with killing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau has pleaded not guilty to the indictment Tuesday morning after turning down a prosecution offer of 35 years in prison.

Sean Higgins appeared briefly in court in Salem County, New Jersey, and entered a formal plea to the recent indictment in the Aug. 29 deaths. Higgins didn’t speak during Tuesday’s hearing. Higgins’ attorneys reportedly whispered to him as he was led out of the courtroom.

New Jersey State Police have stated that the driver has a history of road rage and was impaired that day. His blood alcohol level was .087, which was above the state’s legal limit.

Higgins has been charged with second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, first-degree aggravated manslaughter, fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence and second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

On Aug. 30, the brothers were struck and killed by a car while riding their bicycles, New Jersey State Police sources confirmed to Daily Faceoff. The incident occurred in rural Salem County, N.J., just outside of Philadelphia.

Johnny Gaudreau turned 31 less than three weeks before the incident. He was due to report to Columbus Blue Jackets training camp for his 11th NHL season, set to embark on the third year of an eight-year, $68.25 million contract signed with the team in 2022.

Through 763 regular-season games, Johnny had 243 goals and 500 assists for 743 points with the Calgary Flames and Blue Jackets.

Meanwhile, his brother Matthew played four full seasons at Boston College, scoring 16 goals and 47 assists for 63 points in 119 career games. He would go on to play a handful of seasons in both the AHL and ECHL.