A major development has emerged in the case involving former NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, as the New Jersey driver charged in their 2024 deaths acknowledged a key detail about his alcohol level ahead of trial.
Sean Higgins, 45, appeared in court on October 19, 2026, where his defense attorney acknowledged that an independent test of Higgins’ blood showed an alcohol concentration of 0.08, the legal limit for drivers in New Jersey. The prosecution’s earlier test had reported a level of 0.087.
The admission marked a significant shift from the defense’s previous position, which had questioned the accuracy of the state’s testing and argued that Higgins’ alcohol level may have been below the legal threshold.
Despite the development, Higgins declined a plea agreement that would have required him to admit guilt and serve 28 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is preparing to face a jury in a case that has drawn considerable attention from the hockey community and beyond.
A Key Change In The Courtroom
During Monday’s hearing, defense attorney Richard Klineburger acknowledged the results of an independent analysis conducted on a sample of Higgins’ blood.
The defense’s test returned a result of 0.08, compared with the prosecution’s reported figure of 0.087. Both figures place the result at or above New Jersey’s legal threshold for driving.
Previously, Higgins’ attorneys had challenged the state’s testing procedures, arguing that the prosecution’s analysis did not accurately establish his alcohol concentration at the time of the collision.
The latest acknowledgment narrows that particular disagreement, although it does not resolve the broader questions that will be considered at trial.
The defense continues to dispute aspects of the prosecution’s account of how the collision occurred. Attorneys have also questioned whether the available evidence establishes that Higgins acted recklessly under the circumstances.
Those issues are expected to remain central to the upcoming proceedings.
Higgins Turns Down A 28-Year Plea Agreement
The hearing also marked another important decision in the case.
Prosecutors offered Higgins an agreement under which he would plead guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter and a first-offense driving-while-intoxicated charge. In exchange, he would receive a total sentence of 28 years in prison.
Higgins declined the offer.
Salem County Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio explained the consequences of proceeding to trial. If Higgins is convicted of all the charges he currently faces, the maximum potential sentence could reach 91.5 years, with parole eligibility potentially delayed until after 68 years.
Higgins confirmed in court that he understood the consequences of rejecting the agreement.
The judge also indicated that any future guilty plea would be handled as an open plea, meaning there would be no guarantee of a reduced sentence negotiated with prosecutors.
Higgins has maintained his not-guilty plea. His decision means the case will move toward trial, where prosecutors must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
What Happened To Johnny And Matthew Gaudreau?
The case stems from a collision on August 29, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his younger brother Matthew, 29, were riding bicycles near their hometown when they were struck by a vehicle driven by Higgins, according to authorities.
Johnny was a prominent professional hockey player known to fans as “Johnny Hockey.” He had played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets and was preparing for another season with Columbus.
Matthew had also played hockey at Boston College before pursuing work as a high school hockey coach.
The brothers were returning from their sister Katie’s wedding rehearsal dinner. The wedding had been scheduled for the following day, making the events of that evening particularly devastating for their family.
Both brothers were married and were expecting children with their respective partners at the time of the collision.
Johnny and his wife, Meredith, had two children and were expecting another. Matthew and his wife, Madeline, were also preparing to welcome their first child together.
Their deaths left both families facing a future that had changed in an instant.
Newly Released Evidence Raises More Questions
The October 19 hearing also brought renewed attention to photographs and diagrams related to the collision.
Images included in recent court filings showed extensive damage to the brothers’ bicycles and to Higgins’ Jeep Grand Cherokee. The documents also included diagrams illustrating the roadway and the positions of the vehicles and cyclists.
The defense has argued that the material raises questions about the prosecution’s reconstruction of the collision.
Authorities have said the brothers were riding near the side of the road when Higgins allegedly attempted to pass another vehicle and struck them. The defense disputes aspects of that account, arguing that the brothers may have been within the traffic lane rather than on the narrow shoulder.
Higgins’ attorneys have also raised questions about whether the bicycles had appropriate lighting for nighttime riding.
These arguments have not been established as findings by a jury. They represent issues the defense intends to explore as it challenges the prosecution’s version of events.
The prosecution, meanwhile, maintains its case against Higgins and has sought to move the proceedings forward.
The photographs and diagrams are likely to form part of a wider debate over how the collision happened and what the evidence can reliably establish.
Why The Alcohol Test Matters
The alcohol-level issue has been one of the most closely watched elements of the case.
New Jersey’s legal limit for most drivers is 0.08. The prosecution’s reported result of 0.087 was above that threshold, while the defense’s latest independent result was 0.08.
Although the difference between the two figures is relatively small, the testing dispute has been important to the defense’s challenge to the prosecution’s case.
The latest acknowledgment does not, by itself, determine whether Higgins is guilty of the charges against him. The jury will need to consider the evidence as a whole, including the circumstances of the collision, the reconstruction of the scene and the applicable legal standards.
The defense may continue to challenge whether the prosecution has adequately demonstrated the elements of each offense.
For prosecutors, the case involves more than the alcohol reading alone. Their allegations concern Higgins’ driving and the circumstances that led to the collision.
The upcoming trial will provide an opportunity for both sides to present their arguments and for a jury to evaluate the evidence.
The Gaudreau Family Continues To Honor Their Legacy
Beyond the legal proceedings, Johnny and Matthew remain deeply missed by their families, friends and the hockey community.
Johnny built a reputation as an accomplished NHL player whose speed and skill made him a fan favorite. His nickname, “Johnny Hockey,” reflected the connection he developed with supporters throughout his professional career.
Matthew shared his brother’s love of the sport and continued that connection through coaching and his relationships with young players.
Following the tragedy, the brothers’ families established the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation to support youth hockey and assist families affected by impaired driving.
The initiative has offered a way to honor the brothers’ lives while helping others facing difficult circumstances.
Their wives have also continued raising their children while navigating the emotional challenges that followed the loss of their husbands.
For many supporters, the foundation represents a commitment to ensuring that the brothers are remembered not only for the circumstances of their passing but also for their love of family and their influence on the sport.
Trial Scheduled For January 2027
The latest hearing cleared the way for the case to move toward its next major stage.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2026, with the trial expected to begin in early January 2027. Opening statements are scheduled for January 4, according to reports following the hearing.
The proceedings are expected to examine the collision, the alcohol testing, the defense’s reconstruction of the roadway and the allegations surrounding Higgins’ driving.
The case remains unresolved, and Higgins has not been convicted of the charges.
His decision to reject the 28-year agreement means a jury will ultimately be asked to assess the evidence presented by both sides.
For the Gaudreau family, the coming trial represents another stage in a long legal process following the loss of two brothers who were central to their lives.
As the proceedings approach, the latest admission regarding Higgins’ alcohol level has added a new dimension to the case. However, the final outcome will depend on the full body of evidence and the jury’s assessment of the charges.
For now, the case is moving toward trial, where the competing accounts of the 2024 collision will be examined in court.