Sean M. Higgins rejected a 28-year plea deal in Salem County Court, setting a trial date for January 4, 2027, over the August 2024 crash in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, that killed hockey stars Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Higgins Rejects 28-Year Plea Deal
The criminal case stemming from the fatal Oldmans Township collision is heading to trial after Sean M. Higgins formally declined a state-offered plea agreement during an appearance in Salem County Court.
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio confirmed that jury selection will begin on December 1, with opening statements scheduled for January 4, 2027, following a holiday break.
Under the terms of the rejected agreement, Higgins would have pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated manslaughter and one count of driving while intoxicated in exchange for a 28-year prison term.
Everything that is in the final report from the officers, that’s what [witnesses are] going to be testifying to.
Assistant Prosecutor Michael Mestern, via Inquirer
Judge Silvanio cautioned Higgins in court that he faces up to 91.5 years behind bars—with parole eligibility after 68 years—if found guilty on all charges, which include two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, tampering with physical evidence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Judge Directs Troopers to Verify Notes
The pre-trial proceedings involved sharp disagreements over forensic evidence and police investigative notes.
It did come back, based upon the non-tainted tube, it came back as a .08, as opposed to .087.
Richard Klineburger, via Us Magazine
Earlier legal arguments from the defense team had attempted to push the reading down to .075—which was below the state’s legal limit of 0.08—by questioning whether whole blood or plasma was tested.
At the same time, newly unsealed court filings introduced crash-site schematics and photographs showing the mangled wreckage of the victims’ Trek road bike with its rear wheel missing and front wheel completely bent in half, and a Cervelo triathlon bike with a missing saddle and a bent rear wheel, alongside Higgins’ heavily damaged Jeep Grand Cherokee featuring a cracked windshield and crumpled front end.
A defense expert report contests the state police reconstruction, arguing that physical debris indicates the impact occurred within the active travel lane rather than on the roadway shoulder, and that the cyclists were riding in the dark without required rear safety lights.
Family Legacy After August 2024 Crash
The tragedy unfolded on August 29, 2024, just one day before the wedding of the brothers’ sister, Katie.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was a prominent NHL forward who played 11 seasons for the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets, while his brother Matthew, 29, also played and coached hockey.
As two years have passed since brothers Matthew and Johnny lost their lives, their relatives are working to heal by starting a foundation, welcoming new children, and keeping the siblings’ memories alive.
Meredith and Madeline, the respective wives of Johnny and Matthew, were both expecting babies when their husbands died.
Meredith gave birth to son Carter Michael Gaudreau in April 2025, seven months after Johnny’s death.
Madeline welcomed son Tripp in December 2024, four months after Matthew’s death.
This is a tragedy that I would never wish on my worst enemy. Because of the support that we’ve gotten from everybody — not just in the United States and North America, but the people in different countries who have reached out — telling stories about the boys and the impact they’ve made, it really helped us to heal and to continue to heal.
Meredith Gaudreau, via Us Magazine
Judge Sets Trial Schedule for December and January
Judge Silvanio directed prosecutors to verify whether any additional trooper notes existed while locking in the trial schedule for December jury selection and January witness testimony.