Sean Higgins, the man accused of fatal attack on NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew while riding bicycles in South Jersey will be held in jail pending further proceedings, a judge ruled Friday.
Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was ordered to remain in the Salem County Correctional Facility for a possible trial. Attorneys gathered in a virtual courtroom in New Jersey on Friday for a detention hearing, where judges consider whether to keep suspects in custody for future court appearances.
These procedures often take into account the seriousness of the charge and whether the suspect may not appear at the next court hearing.
Salem County First Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Flynn revealed more about what Higgins was doing the day of the crash, arguing that he should not be released because the case was a matter of “impatience, anger and recklessness.”
“According to Mr. Higgins’ wife, who was interviewed by state police, Mr. Higgins is now working from home and it has had a negative effect on him, as he has started drinking regularly,” Flynn said.
He said Higgins’ wife also said in the interview that Higgins had a habit of driving with “road rage and impatience.”
Flynn summarizes additional reports in the case, saying that Higgins got off work around 3 p.m. on the day of the accident, began drinking alcohol, and had an unpleasant conversation about a family matter. He also later had a long phone conversation with a friend.
“While he was driving around, he had that conversation with a friend and he also admitted… to police that he had been drinking in the car,” Flynn said.
“Danger to the community… there is simply no condition that the court can impose on Mr. Higgins that will control not only his aggressive driving, but unfortunately his drinking and driving, his getting on the road and that happening again,” Flynn said.
Judge Michael Silvanio ruled that Higgins should remain in jail due to concerns about his driving and whether Higgins, who was on suicide watch in prison, would harm himself if released.
Defense attorney Matthew Portella argued for Higgins’ release before trial.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
