Sean Higgins vehicular homicide case proceedings
Sean Higgins' defense team requested an additional seven weeks for blood testing and accident-reconstruction work on July 20, 2026, in Salem County, New Jersey, citing discrepancies in BAC readings. As of July 20, 2026, a new court date is set for September 11 to determine if Higgins will proceed to a jury trial or accept a plea deal. The defense claims their expert's analysis shows a BAC of 0.075%, below the legal limit, while the state's reading was 0.087%. Higgins faces charges including aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide for the August 2024 deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau and has rejected a plea offer of 35 years.
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July 2026 — 1 developments
Sean Higgins' defense seeks delay for blood testing, new court date set for September 11
Sean Higgins' defense team has requested an additional seven weeks for blood testing and accident-reconstruction work, citing discrepancies in BAC readings. The defense claims their expert's analysis shows a BAC of 0.075%, below the legal limit, while the state's reading was 0.087%. A new court date is set for September 11 to determine if Higgins will proceed to a jury trial or accept a plea deal.
June 2026 — 4 developments
Sean Higgins case: Chemist testimony expected, defense claims new BAC results
Further hearings in the Sean Higgins case are expected to include testimony from the chemist involved in blood sample testing. The defense claims new testing shows a BAC of 0.075, below the legal limit.
Sean Higgins vehicular homicide case pre-trial conference rescheduled to July 20
A pre-trial conference in the Sean Higgins case has been rescheduled from June 16, 2026, to July 20, 2026. The hearing will take place before Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio at the Salem County Courthouse.
Sean Higgins' next court hearing set for June 16, 2026
The next court hearing for Sean Higgins, accused in the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, is scheduled for June 16, 2026. Higgins has rejected a plea offer of 35 years and faces up to 70 years in prison if convicted.
Judge Denies Sean Higgins' Motion, Allowing Fatal Crash Case to Proceed
A New Jersey judge denied Sean Higgins' motion on May 12, 2026, allowing the fatal crash case involving the Gaudreau brothers to proceed. Higgins faces charges including aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide for the August 2024 deaths. The defense's arguments regarding inflated BAC evidence and contributory negligence by the cyclists were dismissed by the judge.
May 2026 — 2 developments
Judge Denies Sean Higgins' Motion to Dismiss Indictment in Gaudreau Brothers Homicide Case
A judge denied Sean Higgins' motion to dismiss the indictment against him in the Gaudreau brothers homicide case. Higgins' defense attorneys argued that evidence regarding his blood alcohol content was mishandled and misrepresented to the grand jury. Prosecutors stated that the BAC evidence presented was accurate.
Sean Higgins case: Hearing scheduled on blood alcohol evidence dispute
Attorneys for Sean M. Higgins assert his blood-alcohol content was under the legal limit, challenging the accuracy of the prosecution's blood sample conversion. A hearing concerning this issue was scheduled for May 11, 2026.
April 2026 — 5 developments
Sean Higgins' legal team challenges prosecution's blood alcohol test results and evidence collection
Sean Higgins' legal team is challenging the prosecution's use of blood alcohol test results, arguing a partial test showing .087 BAC was plasma-only and a full test would have been .075. The defense is also disputing evidence collection, including the search of Higgins' vehicle and its event data recorder, and has previously rejected a plea deal for a 35-year sentence.
Judge Rules Sean Higgins' Statements Admissible in Trial
A judge ruled that Sean Higgins' statements, including an admission of "hitting" the brothers, can be used as evidence at trial, deeming them voluntary. The next court date is April 14, 2026, for a pre-trial conference and a motion to dismiss the indictment.
NJ Morgue Assistant Fired for Sharing Confidential Gaudreau Brothers' Death Details
A New Jersey morgue assistant was fired for sharing confidential details about the Gaudreau brothers' deaths, a breach the Civil Service Commission upheld. The Sean Higgins case is progressing towards a pre-trial conference, with the next one scheduled for April 14, 2026.
Sean Higgins Charged with Death by Auto in Fatal Cycling Crash
Sean Higgins, 43, has been charged with two counts of death by auto for allegedly consuming alcohol before a crash that killed brothers Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau. Recent footage shows Higgins expressing frustration at being detained. The brothers were cycling in Salem County, New Jersey, when they were struck and killed.
NJ death investigator fired for leaking Sean Higgins crash details
A New Jersey death investigator has been terminated for leaking details of the Sean Higgins crash case to a group chat, which were then posted on social media. The Civil Service Commission opted for termination despite an administrative law judge recommending a six-month suspension.
February 2026 — 6 developments
Sean Higgins's Attorneys Seek Case Dismissal Citing New Blood-Alcohol Test Results
Sean 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.
Appellate Division denies Sean Higgins' request to appeal statement suppression
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.
Sean Higgins' Attorneys Seek Dismissal of Drunk Driving Case, Present New Evidence
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.
Sean Higgins' defense submits counteroffer, disputes vehicle data release in double murder case
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.
Sean Higgins' Lawyers Present New Evidence Challenging Drunk Driving Claim in Fatal Crash
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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January 2026 — 2 developments
New Jersey Judge Denies Sean Higgins' Appeal Motion
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.
Sean M. Higgins' conference adjourned indefinitely
A discretionary conference scheduled for December 15 was adjourned with no new date set in the case of Sean M. Higgins.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Appellant Files Brief in Case
An Appellant Brief was filed in the case.
November 2025 — 2 developments
New Jersey Judge Refuses to Suppress Evidence in Sean Higgins Drunk Driving Case
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.
New Jersey Judge Rules Sean Higgins' Post-Crash Statements Admissible, Upholds All Charges
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.
October 2025 — 1 developments
Sean Higgins' Miranda Rights Violation Claimed in Crash Statement Hearing
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.
June 2025 — 1 developments
Defense files motions to suppress statements and data
Motions to suppress statements and data were filed by the defense.
April 2025 — 1 developments
Judge denies motions to dismiss charges against Sean Higgins in Gaudreau brothers' murder case
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.
March 2025 — 1 developments
Sean Higgins' Defense Seeks Indictment Dismissal, Citing Withheld Gaudreau Brothers' Intoxication Info
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.
January 2025 — 2 developments
Sean Higgins rejects plea deal, appears in court for Miranda 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 pleads not guilty, rejects 35-year plea offer
Sean Higgins pleaded not guilty to all charges and rejected a plea offer that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence.
December 2024 — 3 developments
Sean Higgins Pleads Not Guilty to Homicide Charges, Judge Denies Motions to Suppress Evidence
Sean M. Higgins was indicted on charges including two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide and two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter in December 2024 in connection with the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. He pleaded not guilty in January 2025, and in August 2025, a judge denied motions to suppress evidence against him. These developments precede the ongoing legal arguments regarding his blood alcohol level.
Grand Jury Indicts Sean Higgins on Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter, and Tampering Charges
A grand jury indicted Sean Higgins on charges including reckless vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter, tampering with evidence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Bodycam footage shows Sean Higgins struggling with sobriety test, admitting to drinking before crash
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.
September 2024 — 3 developments
Sean Higgins to Remain Jailed Until Trial in Fatal DUI Case
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.
Judge Orders Higgins Detained After Prosecutors Reveal .087% BAC
A judge ordered Higgins to be detained until trial, and prosecutors revealed his blood alcohol content was .087%, exceeding New Jersey's legal limit.
Sean Higgins held at Salem County Correctional Facility awaiting detention hearing
Sean Higgins was held at Salem County Correctional Facility, awaiting a detention hearing scheduled for September 5.