New photographs released Monday offer a stark look at the New Jersey crash that claimed the lives of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, in the summer of 2024.
The images were submitted in a recent court filing from attorneys representing Sean Higgins, the man accused in the fatal collision. They show the mangled bicycles the brothers were riding at night, just one day before their sister’s wedding.
The filing also includes photographs of the SUV Higgins was driving when prosecutors say he struck the siblings while under the influence of alcohol.
A diagram outlining the alleged crash site was also presented. Higgins’ lawyers argue that the physical evidence and roadway layout support their claim that he was not driving recklessly before the impact.
Investigators have said the Gaudreau brothers were riding on the shoulder when they were hit. The defense disputes that account, arguing instead that the cyclists were traveling within the roadway.
“There is no physical evidence that defines precisely where the point of impact was, either laterally or longitudinally, along the roadway,” a defense expert wrote in the newly filed court documents.
Defense attorneys in the case involving the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau released photographs from the crash scene that killed the hockey-playing brothers
The SUV driven by Sean Higgins sustained significant damage in the collision
One of the bicycles ridden by the Gaudreau brothers was badly damaged in the crash
“However, the location of the physical evidence established that the cyclists were within the northbound travel lane, and not on the extremely narrow shoulder, immediately prior to impact.
“The assumption that the cyclists were traveling along the narrow shoulder is bizarre and inconsistent with science and logic.”
Higgins’ attorneys further contend that the brothers were riding on a dark stretch of road without the bicycle lights required under state law.
“Even when simply accepting the police analysis at face value, it is unclear how this analysis establishes that Mr. Higgins was responsible for the occurrence of the subject collision event,” the defense expert stated.
One photograph shows a Trek road bike with its rear wheel torn away and its front wheel folded severely out of shape.
Another image depicts a Cervelo triathlon bicycle missing its saddle and showing extensive damage to the rear wheel.
Photos of Higgins’ black Jeep Grand Cherokee reveal heavy damage across the front, including the bumper, headlights, hood and quarter panels.
The images emerged as Higgins was scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon in the case stemming from the fatal 2024 crash. He is accused of driving drunk when he struck and killed the two brothers.
A second photograph shows the wreckage of another bicycle ridden by one of the Gaudreau brothers
Higgins’ attorneys say the photographs and other evidence could support their argument that their client was not responsible for the deaths
The defense team attached the photographs to court papers filed October 5, while seeking to compel Salem County prosecutors to provide the evidence used to reconstruct the crash.
Higgins’ team is hoping to challenge the state’s diagnostics with their own expert’s analysis.
Higgins, 45, is set to stand trial on January 5. According to court records, he allegedly had a blood-alcohol content of .087, which is over the legal limit, when he struck the Columbus Blue Jackets star and his sibling in Oldmans Township on August 29, 2024. He was accused of passing another car before hitting the brothers.
Matthew had played college hockey alongside his brother at Boston College, but never made it to the NHL.
Johnny, meanwhile, was a seven-time All-Star and one of the best American skaters in the sport.
Following their deaths, the wives of both brothers gave birth to sons. Matthew’s wife Madeline gave birth to Tripp Gaudreau in December 2024, just four months after his father’s passing.
Over four months later, Johnny’s widow Meredith gave birth to their son Carter. She revealed that she was carrying the child during the funeral service for her late husband.