The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in a cycling accident pleaded not guilty to the indictment in New Jersey. Sean M. Higgins, 44, rejected a prosecution offer of 35 years in prison and hopes to prove the deaths were due to unfortunate circumstances. Prosecutors claim Higgins had a history of road rage and was impaired after drinking five or six beers when he struck the Gaudreau brothers. Johnny, known as “Johnny Hockey,” played in the NHL for 10 seasons and was set to start his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Higgins had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit and is facing charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, evidence tampering, and leaving the scene of an accident. His defense lawyer described him as a combat veteran who believes in the legal system and a loving father who made a horrible decision. The Gaudreau brothers were killed near their childhood home in South Jersey on the eve of their sister’s wedding. The case will now move towards trial as both the defense and prosecutors confirmed the terms of the proposed plea deal.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com