Suspected drunk driver in Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau has New Jersey court date moved
The man arrested in the drunken-driving crash that killed Columbus Blue Jacket Johnny Gaudreau and his brother on the eve of their sister's wedding briefly appeared in a New Jersey court Thursday morning.
Sean M. Higgins, 43, appeared in Salem County, New Jersey, court for an arraignment. Higgins faces several traffic charges and two counts of death by auto for the Aug. 29 crash that resulted in the deaths of 31-year-old Gaudreau and his 29-year-old brother, Matthew Gaudreau.
Judge Michael Silvanio rescheduled the case for Sept. 13, when attorneys will present the judge with additional documentation related to whether Higgins should remain in jail. New Jersey does not use a cash bail system like the system used in Ohio.
Higgins was the driver of a Jeep that struck the brothers while they were cycling on County Road 551 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, according to New Jersey state police. He had a brief virtual court appearance Friday afternoon.
He remained in Salem County jail since the crash. He was told not to discuss his case with anyone in the jail.
During the initial hearing, Higgins wore a garment typically called a "safety smock," which inmates who have expressed thoughts of self-harm often wear.
Sean Higgins: Driver in suspected DUI crash that killed Blue Jackets' Gaudreau worked in addiction rehab
Following an explanation of the charges and his rights, Higgins asked, "So, I'm here until Thursday?"
How did Johnny Gaudreau and his brother die?
Johnny Gaudreau played for the Columbus Blue Jackets for two seasons and for eight seasons before that for the Calgary Flames. Matthew, who played with Johnny at Boston College, had been a minor league hockey player.
The brothers had been scheduled to be groomsmen in their sister's wedding Friday.
Higgins told New Jersey State Police after the crash that he had consumed "five to six" beers, including while driving, according to court records. He said his aggression while driving was due, in part, he believed, to the alcohol he had consumed.
Police said Higgins had been driving behind two vehicles on the county road when the crash occurred. He moved left of center to pass one of the vehicles. The second vehicle had moved to the left to go around the Gaudreaus. Higgins went around that vehicle on the right towards the shoulder, where the Gaudreaus were cycling.
Both brothers died at the scene from their injuries.
Police have not released information about what speed Higgins was traveling at the time of the crash.
Several news outlets reported that Higgins was arrested in 2005 on a DWI charge in North Carolina, where the charges were dismissed due to the officer involved not showing up in court.
What has been the impact of Johnny Gaudreau's death?
The Gaudreau brothers' deaths have had a far-reaching impact. Tributes have poured in from everyone from NBA star LeBron James to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A fundraiser for Matthew Gaudreau's wife, who is expecting the couple's first child, had raised nearly $600,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Donations have come from fans, some donating $13 in honor of Johnny Gaudreau's jersey number, as well as hockey families.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets players Matt Duchene and Artemi Panarin have donated, along with NHL stars like Matthew Tkachuk and current Blue Jackets Zach Werenski and Erik Gudbranson, who were both assistant captains on last year's team.
Gudbranson also played with Gaudreau in Calgary before both men joined Columbus in the 2022 offseason.
On Wednesday afternoon, Werenski, Gudbranson, Sean Kuraly and team captain Boone Jenner spoke about the loss of Gaudreau as a hockey player and as a person, from his competitive streak to the pasta — with no sauce, just butter — he would eat as his pregame meal.
The team has said they will travel to Gaudreau's funeral, arrangements for which are still being finalized.
A candlelight vigil hosted by the team was held Wednesday evening outside Nationwide Arena.
General Manager Don Waddell said Wednesday that some small conversations have happened about how to honor Gaudreau during the season but many of those conversations will come at a later date as the team moves through the grief process together.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Johnny Gaudreau death: Sean Higgins appears in New Jersey court Thursday
