The Findings

While Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were laid to rest after losing their lives in the New Jersey accident, the hockey world, their friends, their teammates, and their families mourned the losses of two incredible people. One man missed all the mourning as he sat in jail after being identified for his part in the losses. 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins was held for 72 hours as per New Jersey law as the investigation and initial charges were revealed on Thursday. It was already known that he was the party responsible for the death of the two brothers and hockey players, but the Associated Press filled in the details today that many people wanted to know about how this tragedy happened.

According to the Associated Press' reporting, Higgins "is charged with two counts of death by auto/vehicular manslaughter, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle", promping Superior Court Judge Michael J. Silvanio to issue an order that "Higgins be held for trial despite defence arguments that he was a married father and law-abiding citizen before the crash."

Clearly, Judge Silvanio had to have good reason to issue an order like that, and it seems he was justified after "Higgins told police he had five or six beers that day and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving" while also failing a field sobriety test. As per a prosecutor, "he had been drinking at home after finishing a work call at about 3 p.m.", and it was found that Higgins had "a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey".

Higgins also didn't get any help from his past behaviour either. According to the report, "his wife said he had been drinking regularly since working from home, and told them he had a history of 'driving like a nut,'". First Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn of Salem County also made it clear that "Higgins also had a history of road rage and reckless driving", stating that "Higgins apparently became frustrated when the two drivers ahead of him slowed down to go around the cyclists, and sped up to try to pass them on the right, striking the Gaudreaus."

"He indicated he didn't even see them," said Silvanio, who said Higgins' admitted "impatience" caused two deaths. For a guy facing a maximum of twenty years in prison, it appears Higgins won't have to worry about work calls at 3pm for a long time.

There was a modicum of defence built as it was noted that "Higgins has a master's degree, works in finance for an addiction treatment company, and served in combat in Iraq, his lawyers said." Defence lawyer Matthew Portella also told the hearing, "He's an empathetic individual and he's a loving father of two daughters. He's a good person and he made a horrible decision that night."

In my view, it's that last statement - "he made a horrible decision that night" - that should seal Higgins' fate. I understand that him being imprisoned for twenty years removes a husband and father from a family, but it clearly didn't mean that much if these are the choices he's making. Yes, I understand that alcoholism is an addiction, but it doesn't excuse one from the choices one makes. As it has been said time and time again, actions have consequences, and it seems Mr. Higgins will face the consequences of his actions on that day.

I won't be among the jury of his peers, but I have a very low tolerance for people who drive while intoxicated. Taking the lives of two innocent people because one chose to spend the day throwing back a few cold ones makes this even worse, and I would hope that he realizes that his choices have ruined the lives of so many people. The ripple on this goes further than just a few people, and one has to wonder if an afternoon of drinking was worth the twenty years Higgins is facing for his poor choices and ignorant actions.

In knowing that he shattered the lives of three families directly - Johnny's family, Matthew's family, and his own family - does twenty years of incarceration make up for the many years of moments each of those families lost thanks to Higgins' poor choices on August 29, 2024? It's hard to find any rationale that would justify what Higgins took from everyone involved in this matter, so I can't find any reason why he shouldn't receive the maximum penalties for what he did. It may seem harsh, but he took so much more than just two lives with his decision to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol in the volume he did.

Even if he pleads guilty and accepts full responsibility, he shouldn't escape the maximum punishment because he made choices that led to this outcome. As a man who works for an addiction treatment company, he not only knew better, but he chose to ignore the very lessons his employer works to instill in those who need help. As a husband and father, he chose to not to be better for his wife and daughters. And by letting his addiction consume him, he allowed his choices to destroy not only his future, but the futures of a vast number of people.

Twenty years in prison should be just enough time for Mr. Higgins to seek the treatment he needs for his addiction, to understand the gravity of the choices he made, and to atone for the many lives from whom he has taken someone. He may not get forgiveness from all the parties in these instances, but it's clear that his poor choices won't be forgotten after all the pain, grief, heartbreak, and losses he caused.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!