Driver accused of killing NHL’s Johnny Gaudreau and brother denied bail, had .087 blood-alcohol stage
Sean Higgins, the person charged with killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau in a drunken driving crash on Aug. 29, has been denied bail and can stay in jail, a New Jersey decide dominated on Friday.
The 43-year-old Higgins is charged with two counts of dying by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motorcar. His blood-alcohol stage was recorded at .087, above the .08 authorized restrict in New Jersey, based on prosecutors.
Higgins was current throughout a digital court docket listening to on Friday and a decide ordered he be held for trial attributable to his historical past of alleged street rage and aggressive driving. He has seven days to attraction and will likely be in court docket on Oct. 15 for a pre-indictment convention.
The Gaudreaus were killed near their childhood dwelling in New Jersey the night earlier than their sister Katie’s wedding ceremony, the place they have been to function groomsmen. Based on police, they have been struck by an SUV pushed by Higgins trying to cross two different automobiles.
Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years outdated. Matthew Gaudreau was 29.
Higgins had instructed police he had “5 – 6” beers the day of the crash and admitted to consuming alcohol whereas driving that night. He was driving aggressively behind a sedan above the 50 mph velocity restrict and was tailgating, the motive force instructed police.
When the motive force and the car forward of the sedan slowed down and moved left to go across the biking Gaudreaus, Higgins sped up, moved proper and struck the brothers, based on two different drivers.
“He indicated he didn’t even see them,” stated Superior Court docket Decide Michael J. Silvanio, who stated the deaths have been attributable to Higgins’ admitted “impatience.”
Higgins faces as much as 20 years in jail.
A memorial service for the brothers was held on Monday in Media, Pennsylvania.
Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith, revealed throughout her eulogy that she is pregnant with their third youngster. Their daughter, Noa, is 2 years outdated, and their son, Johnny, was born in February.
Matthew Gaudreau’s widow, Madeline, can also be pregnant, in her case with their first youngster. A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to assist the household and has raised practically $800,000 as of Friday.
