Driver accused in DUI crash that killed Gaudreau brothers rejects plea deal

SALEM COUNTY, NJ (WPVI) -- The man accused in the drunk driving crash that killed NHL hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, faced a judge on Tuesday.

Sean Higgins, 44, had a post-indictment arraignment hearing, where he rejected a plea deal that would have seen him spend 35 years in prison.

The case will now move toward trial.

Defense lawyers, in a statement, said they hope to prove that the deaths stemmed not from any "malfeasance" but from "a combination of uniquely unfortunate circumstances unlikely to ever occur again."

They described Higgins as a combat veteran who has faith in the legal system.

Prosecutors say the married father of two - who worked for an addiction treatment company - had a history of road rage and was impaired that day after drinking five or six beers.

He said he had been driving around for two hours, sometimes talking by phone with a friend, after an upsetting conversation with his mother.

His attorneys entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf as a formality to allow proceedings to move forward.

Higgins was indicted by a grand jury in December.

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The deadly crash happened in Oldmans Township, Salem County, on August 29, as the Gaudreau brothers were out riding bicycles the day before their sister's wedding.

A driver in front of Higgins told police that he had been driving aggressively. When she and another driver slowed down and moved left to go around the cyclists, Higgins sped up and veered right, striking the Gaudreaus, she said.

Higgins had a blood-alcohol level of .087, which is above the state's .08 legal limit, and failed a field sobriety test, police said.

He is being held on charges that include two counts each of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide, along with evidence tampering and leaving the scene of an accident.

Defense lawyer Matthew Portella has called Higgins a loving father and a good person who "made a horrible decision that night."

Both Portella and county prosecutors confirmed the terms of the proposed deal.

Johnny Gaudreau, known as "Johnny Hockey," played 10 full seasons in the NHL and was set to start his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.