Defense attorneys claim Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were drunk at time of fatal crash
Annapurna Rai | Feb 06, 2025, 22:19 IST
( Image credit : Agencies )
Sean Higgins, accused of causing the crash that killed Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, is defended with claims that the victims were also intoxicated. New court filings revealed their blood alcohol levels were above the legal limit. Higgins, who admitted to drinking, rejects a 35-year sentence and pleads not guilty.
Defense attorneys for Sean Higgins, the man accused of driving drunk and causing the fatal crash that killed Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, are alleging that the Gaudreau brothers were also legally intoxicated at the time of the accident.
In new court filings, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the defense motion for additional discovery regarding blood testing reveals that Johnny Gaudreau had a blood alcohol level of .129 and his brother Matthew had a BAC of .134. The legal limit for blood alcohol content for non-commercial drivers in New Jersey, where the accident occurred, is 0.08.
The incident occurred on August 29 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when Higgins, driving a Jeep, struck the Gaudreaus from behind as they were riding bicycles. The brothers had been in town for their sister's wedding, which was scheduled for the following day.
Higgins, who faces charges of vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter, admitted to drinking beers before and during the accident, and had a blood alcohol level of .087 while operating his vehicle.
In the court documents, Higgins' attorney also filed a motion to dismiss the case and is questioning how the information regarding the Gaudreaus' blood alcohol levels was obtained. However, the attorney does not explicitly state that the brothers' alcohol levels contributed to the crash.
Higgins rejected a 35-year jail sentence from prosecutors, which would have included 15 years for each count of aggravated manslaughter and five years for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Instead, he pled not guilty to the charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 26.
In new court filings, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the defense motion for additional discovery regarding blood testing reveals that Johnny Gaudreau had a blood alcohol level of .129 and his brother Matthew had a BAC of .134. The legal limit for blood alcohol content for non-commercial drivers in New Jersey, where the accident occurred, is 0.08.
The incident occurred on August 29 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when Higgins, driving a Jeep, struck the Gaudreaus from behind as they were riding bicycles. The brothers had been in town for their sister's wedding, which was scheduled for the following day.
Higgins, who faces charges of vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter, admitted to drinking beers before and during the accident, and had a blood alcohol level of .087 while operating his vehicle.
In the court documents, Higgins' attorney also filed a motion to dismiss the case and is questioning how the information regarding the Gaudreaus' blood alcohol levels was obtained. However, the attorney does not explicitly state that the brothers' alcohol levels contributed to the crash.
Higgins rejected a 35-year jail sentence from prosecutors, which would have included 15 years for each count of aggravated manslaughter and five years for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Instead, he pled not guilty to the charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 26.