In a significant legal development, a grand jury has taken a decisive step by indicting Sean M. Higgins in the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. According to the Salem County court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Higgins, aged 44, was formally indicted on Wednesday, December 11. He now faces several serious charges, including second-degree reckless vehicular homicide and first-degree aggravated manslaughter. This incident occurred in the hometown of the Gaudreau brothers on the night before their sister's wedding. Additionally, Higgins was indicted on charges of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence and second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Defense Attorney's Stance

In a statement to ABC Action News earlier this week, Higgins' defense attorney Matthew Portella expressed that his team is "still waiting on additional material evidence." He emphasized that they are "not at liberty to discuss the details" at this time. Portella further stated that it would be unfair to both Mr. Higgins and the general public to make a statement until a full evaluation and review have been completed. This shows the cautious approach being taken in this complex legal matter.

Details of the Accident

New Jersey State Police have revealed that Johnny and Matthew were biking on Country Route 551 North just after 8 p.m. when Higgins, suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, allegedly attempted to pass another car and fatally hit the brothers. This tragic event has left a deep impact on the Gaudreau family and the community. The images and details of the accident are still fresh in people's minds, and the legal proceedings are now underway to seek justice for the victims.

Body Cam Footage and Higgins' Statements

New Jersey police released body cam footage of Higgins' arrest on Friday, December 6. In the video, Higgins can be seen asking if the brothers were "okay." He expressed that he was "just freaked out" and told police officers that it had been about an hour after his last drink and that he had had "five or six Miller Lites" since noon that day. He also said, "I mean, I've been drinking beers, but I haven't had one in, like, two hours." Toward the end of the video, Higgins once again showed his concern and asked about the accident, saying, "Is everybody okay back there? What happened?" These statements provide valuable insights into Higgins' state of mind at the time of the incident.

The Impact on the Gaudreau Family

Both Johnny and Matthew had been in town to serve as groomsmen for their sister Katie's wedding. Tragically, they left behind pregnant wives. Matthew's wife Madeline is expecting her first child, and Meredith, who has two children with Johnny - a 1-year-old daughter Noa and a 7-month-old son Johnny - is expecting the couple's third. After the tragic deaths on August 29, Madeline, Meredith, and the entire Gaudreau family have been supporting each other. They have shown remarkable strength in the face of this unimaginable loss. On December 3, the family traveled to Calgary, where they watched Johnny's two former teams - the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets - face off after a special pre-game ceremony for Johnny, with Meredith and their two kids dropping the puck. This act of unity and remembrance is a testament to the bond within the family.