It has been over a week since two sons, part of the hockey community and siblings of the Gaudreau family, Johnny, and Matthew, had their life tragically taken away from them.
The brothers, while biking from their sister Katie's wedding rehearsal in New Jersey, were struck and murdered by a driver, Sean Higgins. The incident has plunged not just their family but even their community into deep mourning, as everyone attempts to understand such an outrageous tragedy.
As family, friends, and fans deal with the tragic loss of these great souls, Sean Higgins sits in jail waiting for his September 13th hearing. With the charges against him at this point, that jail time could be very lengthy.
Higgins had been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, serious enough to carry a 10-year maximum sentence on each. According to lawyers, his sentence could lead to as much as 20 years of imprisonment.
For many, even 20 years was not enough to justify the damage that could never be repaired. Sean Higgins chose to drive under the influence of alcohol and in an aggressive overtaking maneuver by driving on the shoulder, as he took two innocent lives, which were unnecessary to lose.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were cherished sons and brothers, but also husbands and fathers who left behind grieving families that now have to carry their absence forever.
With these charges leveled against him at the present moment, the entire legal process is not yet complete, and Sean Higgins could further be charged if some other evidence or circumstance crops up. His cash bail was expected to be put between $50,000 dollars and $150,000 dollars, which Higgins would have to pay for his temporary release while he waits for trial. But even the thought of his release is hard to take for the Gaudreau family and for society as a whole, due to the gravity of his actions and the loss caused.
Source: Maple Leafs DailyNew information comes to light regarding the charges Sean Higgins is facing in the Gaudreau case
POLL | ||
7 SEPTEMBRE | 350 ANSWERS New details emerge regarding the charges Sean Higgins is facing after he murdered the Gaudreau brothers Should Sean Higgins get the maximum prison time? | ||
Yes | 323 | 92.3 % |
No | 27 | 7.7 % |
List of polls |