Suspect in Gaudreau deaths pleads not guilty, rejects plea deal

The New Jersey man suspected of driving drunk in the crash that killed Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother pleaded not guilty to six charges on Tuesday.

Sean Higgins, 44, entered the plea at a hearing in Salem County, N.J., where the brothers were riding bikes on the evening of Aug. 29 when they were struck and killed. Higgins, who has been in custody since his arrest, also rejected a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 35 years.

The charges he faces include reckless vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison for each of the vehicular manslaughter counts alone.

Higgins is alleged to have hit Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, as he drove his Jeep to the right of the car in front of him in an attempt to pass it along a rural road in Oldsman Township. The brothers were declared dead at the scene.

In court Tuesday during the brief hearing were the Gaudreaus' parents and sisters. The men were in town to serve as groomsmen in the wedding of their youngest sister, Katie, the following day. The wedding was postponed until this upcoming summer.

Just after Christmas, Madeline Gaudreau -- Matthew's widow -- announced the birth of their first child, Tripp Matthew Gaudreau. Johnny's widow, Meredith, announced at the brothers' funeral that she is expecting their third child.

The next hearing in the case was scheduled for Feb. 4, at which point Higgins' attorney is expected to move to dismiss some of the charges and ban some evidence from trial. Higgins will remain in custody.

--Field Level Media