Well this is a WILD update.
It’s been nearly six months since NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who also played ice hockey, were tragically killed in Salem County, New Jersey. As you may recall, they were riding their bikes on a rural road when a man allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol struck and killed them.
That man was Sean M. Higgins… and now, he has a brazen new argument about what occurred on that terrible day.
In new court filings seen by NJ.com on Tuesday, Higgins’ attorneys Richard F. Klineburger III and Matthew V. Portella claimed that the late brothers were also drunk at the time of the fatal accident. The argued Johnny and Matthew’s blood alcohol levels were at 0.129 and 0.134 respectively, citing testing done for their death investigations. As of now, nothing has been confirmed, but if true, it means their BACs were higher than Higgins’ — which was 0.087.
Yeah, maybe. But they weren’t the ones behind the wheel of a CAR!! They didn’t do any crashing!
The lawyers didn’t outright claim the Gaudreau brothers’ blood alcohol levels had a role in the crash, but noted they’re “essential” in Higgins’ defense:
“We believe these filings are essential to ensuring that our client’s Constitutional rights are protected and that he is not being treated unfairly based upon the amount of publicity being garnered.”
Hmmm…
The alleged drunk driver was previously charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter.
What do YOU think of this update?? Sound off in the comments down below.
If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or check out StartYourRecovery.org.
[Images via Madeline Guadreau/Instagram, Calgary Flames/YouTube, & Salem County Sheriff’s Department]
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