New Jersey Man Seeks Extended Time Before Trial in Case Involving NHL Star’s Death

Lawyers representing a New Jersey man accused of causing the deaths of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother have requested an additional seven weeks to finalize blood tests and repair work related to the accident before proceeding to trial.

Sean Higgins, aged 45, is the subject of this legal battle, with his attorneys filing a motion in Salem County Superior Court to gain more time for examining the evidence the state has against him.

Defense attorney Richard Kleinberger explained to the court that gathering necessary information for an accident reconstruction requires more detail. This involves further testing of Higgins’ blood samples.

This request marks the latest effort in a year-long challenge against the prosecution’s claim that Higgins had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.087 during the August 2024 crash, which is slightly above New Jersey’s legal limit. His attorney contends that the state only tested plasma; their expert, however, found the whole blood result to be 0.075, which is below the threshold.

Judge Michael Silvanio has scheduled both parties to reconvene on September 11 to discuss new developments. Co-counsel Matthew Portella mentioned that Higgins would decide at that time whether to pursue a jury trial or consider a plea deal.

In May, Judge Silvanio rejected a jury’s recommendation to dismiss the case, emphasizing that jurors are best equipped to evaluate conflicting evidence, including expert testimony regarding blood alcohol content.

This hearing arrives almost two years after Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were struck while biking home from a rehearsal dinner in Oldmans Township. Higgins did not attend the court session but has pleaded not guilty, asserting he consumed “five or six” beers that day.

The case has garnered significant attention on social media, with various comments highlighting perceived shifts in the defense strategy.

One user suggested that the driver should face severe punishment, stating, “He needs a crib and four white padded walls for the rest of his life.” Another criticized the timing of the defense’s arguments regarding blood testing, suggesting it looked odd under the circumstances. Yet another comment noted skepticism about the defense’s extensive legal maneuvers, implying that such tactics might not speak well of their position.