New Evidence Emerges in Fatal Crash Involving NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau's Brothers
Defense attorneys for the accused driver present new images and analysis casting doubt on the prosecution's case.
New images showing the wreckage of bicycles and an SUV have been presented in court, casting doubt on the case against Sean Higgins, the driver accused in the fatal 2024 crash that killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.
The photographs, included in a recent court filing by Higgins' attorneys, depict the mangled remains of the bicycles the brothers were riding and the Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Higgins. A schematic detailing the crash site was also submitted.
Higgins' defense team is arguing that the evidence supports their claim that the brothers were in the middle of the roadway when they were struck, contradicting the police assertion that they were on the shoulder. "There is no physical evidence that defines precisely where the point of impact was (either laterally or longitudinally) along the roadway," stated an expert for the defense in the court documents. The expert further argued that "the location of the physical evidence established that the cyclists were within the northbound travel lane (and not on the extremely narrow shoulder) immediately prior to impact."
The defense also claims the Gaudreau brothers were riding without lights on a dark section of the road. "Even when simply accepting the police analysis at face value, it is unclear how this analysis establishes that Mr. Higgins was responsible for the occurrence of the subject collision event," the defense expert noted.
The images released include a Trek road bike with a missing rear wheel and a bent front wheel, alongside a Cervelo triathlon bike with a damaged rear wheel and missing saddle. Higgins' black Jeep Grand Cherokee displayed extensive damage to its front end, including the bumper, headlights, hood, and quarter panels.
Higgins' legal team filed the images on October 5, requesting that Salem County prosecutors turn over the evidence used to reconstruct the crash. They aim to challenge the state's findings with their own expert's analysis.
Higgins, 45, is scheduled to stand trial on January 5. He faces charges for allegedly striking and killing the brothers on August 29, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. Court records indicate his blood-alcohol content was .087, exceeding the legal limit at the time of the incident. He is also accused of passing another vehicle before colliding with the brothers.
Matthew Gaudreau played college hockey with his brother at Boston College but did not reach the NHL. Johnny Gaudreau was a seven-time NHL All-Star and considered one of the top American skaters in the sport.
Following their deaths, both brothers' wives gave birth to sons. Matthew's wife, Madeline, welcomed their son Tripp in December 2024. Johnny's widow, Meredith, gave birth to their son Carter over four months later, revealing her pregnancy during her late husband's funeral service.
