Sean Higgins was an employee at a drug and alcohol treatment center at the time of the crash that killed Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau. He has been placed on leave. Meanwhile, NBC10’s Karen Hua has more as the ice hockey community in southern New Jersey continues to mourn the loss of the brothers.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding their bikes in Salem County, New Jersey, the night before their sister was set to be married, police said.
John Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding their bikes north on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township on Thursday at 8:19 p.m. At the same time, Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee north on County Route 551, according to investigators.
Higgins tried to pass two vehicles ahead of him and entered the southbound lanes, police said. An SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes in order to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers as they rode their bikes on the right side of the road, according to investigators.
Higgins then tried to pass the SUV and struck the Gaudreau brothers, police said. Both brothers died from their injuries.
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New Jersey state troopers responded to the crash and spoke with Higgins on Pennsville Auburn Road, investigators said. One of the troopers noticed Higgins' breath smelled like alcohol, according to the criminal complaint. Higgins allegedly admitted to drinking five to six beers prior to the crash. Investigators also said Higgins failed a sobriety test.
Higgins was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto and is currently lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility.
Higgins was an employee at Gaudenzia, a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center, at the time of the crash. He has since been placed on leave by the organization, officials said in a statement on Facebook.
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According to court records, Higgins had two prior cases in North Carolina during the early 2000s. The records show he was charged with DWI in 2005 but the charges were voluntarily dismissed due to the officer involved not showing up in court. Higgins also had a speeding ticket in 2001 that was dismissed because of his good driving record at the time.
The deadly crash occurred the night before both brothers were set to attend their sister's wedding as groomsmen, per details on TheKnot.com confirmed by NBC10.
Johnny Gaudreau -- nicknamed "Johnny Hockey" -- was born in Salem, New Jersey, and grew up in Carneys Point Township, New Jersey. He played high school hockey at Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City, New Jersey, and then college hockey with the the Boston College Eagles from 2011 to 2014. Gaudreau helped the Eagles to the 2012 NCAA national championship as a freshman, scoring 44 points in 44 games that season.
He was named the 2014 winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in the NCAA and was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Gaudreau entered the NHL in 2014 and played for the Flames for nine seasons. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2015 and was a seven-time NHL All-Star. He represented Team USA at five IIHF World Championships and was a gold medal winner with the U.S. team at the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship.
Gaudreau signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 and was set to enter his third season with the club this fall.
Both Gaudreau brothers were "deeply rooted in the Philadelphia and New Jersey community, where they spent their entire childhood on the ice," the Philadelphia Flyers said in a statement. The brothers grew up playing hockey in the Philly area, at Gloucester Catholic as well as with Team Comcast and the Philadelphia Little Flyers.
Matt Gaudreau also played four seasons at Boston College before embarking on a pro career that saw stops with four clubs in the ECHL and American Hockey League. He returned to the local area to coach at his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic, as well as with youth and junior teams at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, New Jersey, where their father was the hockey director.
Johnny Gaudreau was also inducted into Gloucester Catholic's Hall of Fame and, along with his brother, frequently gave back to the school by raising money and contributing to the hockey program.
“Johnny and Matt were incredible hockey players and students, but even more amazing human beings. Their loss will be felt forever by the entire Gloucester Catholic community,” Gloucester Catholic High School principal Thomas Iacovone Jr. wrote in a statement.
Eagles star Jalen Hurts took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his condolences for the deaths of the Gaudreau brothers.
Friday morning, community members left flowers and hockey sticks outside the Hollydell Ice Arena in honor of the brothers.
"It’s more than just hockey. They were guys struck down at the prime of their lives, forget about the prime of their athletic careers," Tom Bunting, of Hollydell Ice Arena, said.
Hollydell is where the brothers grew up and where they fell in love with the game of hockey.
The brothers had their dad to thank because he had them on the ice in diapers. Once they were on the ice, they never got off.
Johnny is credited with never letting the fame change him with Bunting saying that he stayed humble, focused on the game and giving back to his community.
For Johnny's brother Matty, he followed in their dad's footsteps and took up coaching. He became a role model to so many.
"Good teacher of the game. I think he related to kids well. Supported them," Bunting said. “Just honestly really good down to earth people. It’s heartbreaking.”
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny's wife, posted on social media Saturday morning, sharing heartfelt messages honoring her beloved husband.
Matthew Gaudreau's wife, Madeleine, is reportedly pregnant with the couple's first baby, who will be named Tripp.
In a photo from a recent bachelorette party for sister-in-law Katie Gaudreau, Madeline appeared to cradle her baby bump as she posed with other guests.
