NJ Man Accused Of Killing Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau Has Court Date Pushed

SALEM, NJ — A grand jury received another 30 days to file an indictment against the man accused of fatally striking NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother while driving intoxicated.

Sean M. Higgins briefly appeared in court Tuesday for his pre-indictment conference at the Salem County Courthouse. After negotiations between prosecutors and Higgins's attorneys, the judge agreed to give the grand jury a 30-day extension on filing an indictment.

The next court date was not provided.

Higgins struck and killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in late August as the victims rode bikes in Salem County, where they lived and grew up, authorities said. He told police that he drank five or six beers before the accident, according to court records.

Higgins was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. He has been jailed since the deadly crash and faces up to 20 years in prison.

During a pre-indictment conference, prosecutors and defendants have the opportunity to reach a resolution before a grand jury decides whether to file an indictment. Prosecutors often offer plea deals at this juncture. But it's unclear whether those negotiations have begun for Higgins.

Tuesday marked the second time that the pre-indictment conference was delayed. It was originally set for mid-October.

The case has received widespread attention because of Johnny Gaudreau's NHL stardom. Johnny, 31, was a seven-time NHL all-star who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets at the time of his death. Matthew, 29, played in the minor leagues before returning to South Jersey and coaching.

Johnny and Matthew were set to be groomsmen at their sister's wedding, which was scheduled for the day after they died. Both of their widows are also pregnant. Johnny's wife, Meredith, announced her pregnancy Monday at the brothers' joint funeral and Media, Pennsylvania.

Higgins was not only impaired, but he also has a habit of aggressive driving, according to prosecutors, who say his road rage led him to speed around two vehicles before striking the Gaudreaus.