"Driver Accused of DUI in Gaudreau Case, According to Prosecutor"
The man accused of murdering NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother in a collision was legally intoxicated and consuming alcohol in his vehicle at the time of the event, according to prosecutors who spoke on Friday.
Sean Higgins, 43, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.087 percent, surpassing the New Jersey limit of 0.08, prosecutors stated during a detention hearing at Salem County Superior Court. He was driving in Oldmans Township while Johnny, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were biking along the right shoulder.
The occurrence took place on August 29, the day before Katie Gaudreau, the siblings' younger sister, was set to marry.
As reported by The Washington Post, prosecutor Jonathan Flynn revealed in court on Friday that Higgins was upset about a family matter and consumed a beer at home. He then left the house to drive around, continuing to drink alcohol while on the road and becoming impatient with the two cars ahead of him, which had slowed down due to the presence of the Gaudreau brothers. He attempted to pass on the right, hitting the men.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
While Higgins' lawyers argued that he should be released from detention because he had no prior criminal convictions, is the father of two daughters, and is not a flight risk, Salem County Judge Michael J. Silvanio ordered that Higgins be held without bail until his next hearing on October 15, as per The Post.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, as well as other charges. He appeared virtually during the hearing and cried at times.
