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The driver accused of hitting and killing hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, while they were both riding their bicycles on a rural New Jersey road has pleaded not guilty to the charge after rejecting a 35-year prison offer from prosecutors.
The driver, according to the police report, had a history of road rage and on the day of the Gaudreau's death was under the influence of alcohol after drinking five or six beers.
Higgins is charged with aggravated manslaughter, as well as tampering with evidence and leaving the scene of an accident. The defendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.087, which is above the state's legal limit of 0.08.
A driver who was in front of Higgins told police that he drove aggressively. When she and another driver slowed down and moved to the left to get around the cyclists, Higgins accelerated and swerved to the right, hitting the Gaudreau brothers, who could not overcome the serious injuries they suffered.