The individual accused of causing the fatalities of the Gaudreau siblings had a blood alcohol concentration marginally surpassing the lawful threshold.
Sean Higgins, aged 43, is facing two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, on August 29, just hours before they were scheduled to serve as groomsmen at their sister's wedding.
At a virtual bail hearing on Friday, prosecutors argued for Higgins' continued incarceration, citing his alleged history of road rage and reckless driving.
Higgins' wife reportedly scolded him during a phone call from jail after his arrest, allegedly saying, "You were driving like a crazy person, just like I always tell you, and you never listen to me, instead you just shout at me."
Prosecutors also revealed new details about the incident, such as Higgins allegedly driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee with an open container that night.
According to Flynn, Higgins finished work around 3 p.m., had been drinking, and had a confrontational conversation with his mother before the incident. He then had a two-hour phone call with a friend while driving with an open container.
Higgins was driving aggressively behind a sedan that was slightly above the 50 mph speed limit, according to two witnesses. The sedan was following an SUV, and the Gaudreaus were on their bicycles.
The driver of the sedan perceived Higgins approaching her at a high speed, falling back, then approaching again at a high speed, Flynn said. Higgins attempted to pass the sedan as the SUV moved into the next lane, but the sedan's driver felt overwhelmed.
Defense attorney Matthew Portella described Higgins as "a caring individual and a devoted father of two daughters," and argued that his recent knee surgery could have affected his field sobriety test results.
Judge Michael Silvanio ordered Higgins to stay in jail for trial, citing concerns about his driving and the "impatience" that led to the fatal incident.
"There's an abundant amount of evidence that the defendant not only operated his vehicle while impaired, but he did so in an aggressive manner, in an overly aggressive manner," Silvanio said during the hearing.
He added that the state's case appeared strong, citing witness statements and the defendant's own admissions.
Higgins had admitted to consuming five to six beers before the crash, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the Salem County Superior Court.
Silvanio also ruled that Higgins was at a higher risk of failing to appear in court due to the potential 20-year prison sentence he could face.
The Gaudreau brothers were remembered at an emotional joint memorial service held on Monday at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania.
Matthew Gaudreau's widow, Madeline, said through tears, "I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare I can't wake from over the past week. I feel numb, angry, sad, blessed all at once." Madeline is pregnant with the couple's first child.
During her eulogy, Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, revealed that she was nine weeks pregnant with the couple's third child.
"In less than three years of marriage, we've created a family of five. It doesn't even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing," she said.
Higgins' wife expressed her concern during their phone call, stating, "You involved us in this situation again, just like we've had to deal with your road rage issues in the past." Following the incident, the judge noted, "Given your history of aggressive driving and recent reckless behavior, it's crucial that you remain in custody until your trial."
