More evidence was found regarding the details of the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, almost eight months after the crash occurred.
On Apr. 3, a motion filed by prosecutors in New Jersey asked a judge to keep the details of Johnny and Matthew’s blood alcohol levels out of the case. This is because it was argued that the detail was irrelevant to what had happened, since the brothers were not breaking any laws bicycling.
With the motion becoming public on Apr. 16, a more detailed look into what had happened before and after the crash, as well as the ongoing investigation was provided.
After the crash, a New Jersey State Police sergeant found Higgins about 1,500 feet from the site. They also found the Gaudreaus at the site and deemed both brothers dead. Higgins had been described by both troopers and witnesses as panicked and continuously pacing.
Court records stated that no tire or skid marks were found at the initial point of impact, indicating no attempt from Higgins to brake or avoid the collision. Blood tests revealed that Higgins had a blood alcohol level of 0.087, more than the legal limit.
At the crash site, Higgins had told troopers that he was behind two other vehicles who were driving between 30 and 40 miles per hour (mph) who he was trying to pass. In a formal statement at the police station that same night, Higgins elaborated by telling investigators that the vehicles in front of him were going between 20 and 30 mph. Higgins had said that he passed a sedan on the left as he was impatient. Higgins told the police that once he saw a Ford Bronco, he thought the driver was trying to block his passing, causing him to go back into the right lane where the crash occurred.
Higgins is currently held in a New Jersey jail. With a request to dismiss all charges held against him rejected, a maximum prison sentence of 70 years could be sentenced if Higgins were to be found guilty at trial. He had previously rejected an offer from prosecution that would have given him 35 years in exchange for a guilty plea.
