Sean Higgins, the drunk driver accused of killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, got in front of a judge for the second time since the accident that rocked the sports world last week.
Higgins, 43, attended court in New Jersey on Thursday morning wearing an orange jumpsuit instead of the anti-suicide smock he had on for his first appearance. He was also wearing a goatee, having experienced some facial hair growth while locked up.
He did not get the closure he must have been after as the judge did not rule on his pretrial conditions, postponing the matter in seconds, per TMZ Sports. This means Higgins will stay in jail until he returns in front of the judge on September 13th.
Higgins, who struck the brothers while they were riding their bikes the night before they would have served as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding, made his first appearance in court on August 30 and seemed annoyed at having to remain behind bars until his second hearing.
RIGHT NOW: A pre-trial detention hearing for Sean Higgins set for this morning in Woodbury has been POSTPONED. The 43-year-old is accused of driving under the influence when police say he struck and killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. @CBSPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/ay9oQlecjk
— Ryan Hughes (@HughesCBS3) September 5, 2024
Folks found his reaction a bit presumptuous, given that two people were killed because of his thoughtless actions.
The 43-year-old admitted he drank 5-6 beers before getting behind the wheel, with police noting he smelled of alcohol when they got to the scene. To his credit, he stayed near the crash until the authorities arrived.
A Funeral Date Has been Announced For Johnny Gaudreau And His Brother
Meanwhile, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau will be paid their last respects on Monday.
The event is open to the Gloucester Catholic Family and all residents of the Tri-State area to provide an opportunity for all to pay tribute to Johnny and Matt. Please enter the GCHS facility through the gym entrance on Cumberland Street only. pic.twitter.com/9wtxZ7GyrP
— Gloucester Catholic (@GCHSRams) September 4, 2024
A memorial service for the brothers, “A Quiet Night of Remembrance,” is set to take place at Gloucester Catholic High School on Friday evening. They both attended the school, and Matthew worked as a hockey coach there.
The two brothers’ funeral service is scheduled for Monday at Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania. Johnny’s former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, will stream the private gathering.
