Sean Higgins charged in Gaudreau brothers' deaths
Attorneys for Sean Higgins, accused of killing brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, are seeking to dismiss the case on February 25, 2026, in New Jersey, presenting new evidence that challenges the claim Higgins was driving drunk. As of February 25, 2026: Higgins's attorneys argue new testing shows his blood-alcohol level was .075, below New Jersey's legal limit of .08, contradicting earlier prosecution claims of .087. The Superior Court's Appellate Division also denied Higgins's request to appeal the suppression of statements he made to police. This follows a November 10, 2025, ruling by Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio that statements Higgins made after the August 29, 2024, crash would be admissible.
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2026
8 updatesSean Higgins's attorneys are seeking to dismiss the case, arguing new testing shows his blood-alcohol level was .075, below New Jersey's legal limit of .08. This contradicts earlier prosecution claims of .087 and suggests the grand jury was presented with incorrect information. A judge is set to rule on the motion.
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The Superior Court's Appellate Division denied Sean Higgins' request to pursue an interlocutory appeal concerning the suppression of statements he made to police following the crash that killed brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The court found the defense had not shown sufficient justification to overcome the ruling.
Attorneys for Sean Higgins, accused of killing brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, are seeking to dismiss the case, presenting new evidence that challenges the claim Higgins was driving drunk. Prosecutors had previously stated Higgins' blood-alcohol level exceeded New Jersey's legal limit following the August 29, 2024, crash.
Plea negotiations are ongoing in the case of Sean Higgins, accused of killing brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The defense has submitted a counteroffer and is also disputing the release of vehicle data for accident reconstruction. A judge previously upheld all charges against Higgins on April 15, 2025, rejecting the defense's argument that the brothers' drinking contributed to their deaths.
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Sean Higgins' lawyers presented new evidence on February 24, 2026, suggesting he was not driving drunk during the August 2024 crash that killed brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. A test indicated his blood alcohol level was .075, below New Jersey's legal limit, contradicting prosecutors' earlier statements.
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In the case of Sean Higgins, a New Jersey judge denied a motion seeking to file an appeal on January 15, 2026. Previously, on January 7, 2025, Higgins had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and on April 15, 2025, a judge upheld all charges against him, rejecting the defense's argument about the victims' drinking.
A discretionary conference scheduled for December 15 was adjourned with no new date set in the case of Sean M. Higgins.
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2025
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2025
9 updatesAn Appellant Brief was filed in the case.
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A New Jersey judge has refused to suppress evidence in the case against Sean Higgins, who is accused of fatally striking NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew while driving drunk. Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio ruled on November 10, 2025, that statements Higgins made after the crash, indicating he felt he needed a lawyer, will remain admissible in his trial.
A New Jersey judge has ruled that statements made by Sean Higgins after the crash will be admissible as evidence in his trial. The judge also rejected the defense's argument that the victims' own drinking contributed to their deaths, upholding all charges against Higgins.
A hearing was held to determine if statements made by Sean Higgins to police after the crash could be used as evidence, with the defense arguing his Miranda rights were violated.
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Motions to suppress statements and data were filed by the defense.
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In the case against Sean Higgins, accused of killing the Gaudreau brothers, a motion has been filed concerning the admissibility of bloodwork evidence, with Higgins' alleged blood alcohol level at 0.087. Separately, a judge denied motions to dismiss charges and noted that Higgins had previously rejected a plea deal. These developments occurred prior to the existing timeline of court proceedings.
Sean Higgins' defense is arguing for the indictment against him to be thrown out, claiming prosecutors withheld information about the Gaudreau brothers' alleged intoxication during the grand jury hearing.
Sean Higgins, the driver accused in the deaths of brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, rejected a plea deal on January 7, 2025. He appeared in court on October 29, 2025, for a Miranda hearing to determine the admissibility of statements he made to police following the crash.
Sean Higgins pleaded not guilty to all charges and rejected a plea offer that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence.
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2024
5 updates
2024
5 updatesA grand jury indicted Sean Higgins on charges including reckless vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter, tampering with evidence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
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Newly released body camera footage shows Sean Higgins' arrest, depicting him struggling with a field sobriety test and admitting to consuming beers before the crash.
via tmz.com
Sean Higgins, accused of fatally striking brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, will remain in jail until his trial. A judge made this decision on September 13, 2024. Prosecutors allege Higgins had a blood alcohol level of .087%, above New Jersey's legal limit of 0.08%, after consuming five to six beers.
A judge ordered Higgins to be detained until trial, and prosecutors revealed his blood alcohol content was .087%, exceeding New Jersey's legal limit.
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Sean Higgins was held at Salem County Correctional Facility, awaiting a detention hearing scheduled for September 5.
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