New Revelations in Fatal Crash Involving Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
Recent court filings have shed light on the tragic final hours of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were involved in a fatal crash in August 2024. The attorneys for Sean M. Higgins, the individual charged with striking and killing the brothers, revealed that Johnny and Matthew had blood alcohol concentrations of 0.129% and 0.134% respectively at the time of the accident. These levels were higher than Higgins’ alleged 0.087%, which exceeded the legal driving limit of 0.08%.
The brothers, aged 31 and 29, were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, the night before their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding when they were struck by Higgins. Tragically, both Johnny and Matthew were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
In response to the tragedy, Katie has rescheduled her wedding for July 11, 2025 in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Higgins faces serious charges, including two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, a fourth-degree charge of tampering with physical evidence, and a second-degree charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Despite pleading not guilty to all charges in January, Higgins appeared in court recently where his attorneys expressed their desire to dismiss the indictment issued by a grand jury in December 2024. They emphasized the need for additional information regarding the collection of blood alcohol levels for both the Gaudreau brothers and Higgins.
The defense team for Higgins, composed of Richard F. Klineburger III and Matthew V. Portella, emphasized the importance of protecting their client’s constitutional rights and preventing unfair treatment resulting from media attention. They also plan to file a motion to exclude certain evidence, including the blood alcohol test results, from the trial.
Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio set deadlines for filings and responses during the hearing, with Higgins’ next court date scheduled for March 26. The case continues to unfold, with legal proceedings ongoing to ensure a fair and just resolution for all parties involved.