NJ Man Accused Of Killing NHL Star, Brother In Drunken Crash Appears In Court

WOODBURY, NJ — A motion hearing for the driver accused of fatally striking NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, was pushed until next week.

Sean M. Higgins videoed in from jail during Thursday's proceedings in Gloucester County Court. The motion hearing was adjourned until Sept. 13 so prosecutors and defense attorneys could submit additional evidence.

Both sides reached the agreement during a conference Thursday morning. Additional evidence must be submitted by Wednesday, said Judge Michael J. Silvanio.

Higgins will remain in jail leading up to the hearing.

The public portion of the hearing, which only lasted a few minutes, consisted of Silvanio announcing the adjournment. Salem County Assistant Prosecutor Brooke Harley and both of Higgins's listed attorneys also attended via Zoom.

During the hearing, Higgins sat in a booth at the Salem County Correctional Facility, where he has been held since Aug. 29's crash. Higgins, wearing an orange jumpsuit, did not speak during the brief hearing.

The 43-year-old Woodstown resident was charged with two counts of death by auto.

Higgins's attorneys — Matthew V. Portella and Richard F. Klineburger, III — emailed Patch a joint statement after Thursday's proceedings:

"Mr. Higgins has hired us to represent him. It is part of our responsibility to provide a voice for our client but only when it is appropriate to do so pursuant the New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct. This is a tragedy involving a great deal of emotion and impacting many individuals. It is too early in the stages of the legal process to make any out of court statements."

The Salem County Prosecutor's Office declined comment.

Higgins struck and killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau as the brothers rode bikes Aug. 29 in Oldsman Township, according to State Police. He told troopers at the scene that he drank five or six beers before the accident, according to the affidavit into his arrest.

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Higgins was arrested after failing field sobriety tests, the affidavit says.

The Gaudreaus grew up in Salem County and lived there at the time of their deaths. Johnny, 31, became a seven-time NHL all-star and most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew, 29, played in the minor leagues before returning to South Jersey and coaching hockey at his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic High School.