A suspected drunk driver has been charged in connection with the death of Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were both killed while biking Thursday night in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. Sean Higgins, 43, was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol and brought to Salem County Correctional Facility. State police said it charged Higgins, from Woodstown, New Jersey, with two counts of vehicular homicide in connection to the brothers’ death.
Officials have not yet indicated when Higgins will make his first court appearance.
Here’s what we know so far about the incident.
Driver admitted to being drunk, police report says
A police affidavit of probable cause stated that the trooper who responded to the scene ‘detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from (Higgins’) breath.’ The report also said that Higgins failed a sobriety test at the scene and that he later admitted to consuming five to six beers before the accident, saying the alcohol ‘contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.’
What happened to Johnny Gaudreau?
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau both died in a bike accident after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes down a country road in Salem County, New Jersey, near their family hometown.
The Gaudreau brothers were riding their bikes on County Route 551 North when they were allegedly struck by Higgins from behind, according to the New Jersey State Police.
Higgins was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound behind a sedan, SUV and the Gaudreau brothers around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday evening, police said. According to state troopers, Higgins initially moved into the southbound lanes and passed the slower-moving sedan. The SUV in front of Higgins then moved to the middle of the road to safely pass the biking Gaudreau brothers on the right side of the road. However, Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right, hitting Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau from behind and fatally injuring both brothers, according to the highway patrol.
Johnny Gaudreau planned to attend sister’s wedding Friday
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were in town because they planned to be groomsmen at their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding Friday in Philadelphia, according to their sister’s wedding website. Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, was scheduled to be the maid of honor. According to Katie Gaudreau’s Instagram account, a rehearsal for the wedding was held Thursday evening – hours before the brothers’ death.
Blue Jackets statement on Johnny Gaudreau’s death
‘The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew. Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.
‘He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy. At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.’
A Blue Jackets spokesman said the team will not be making any further comments until a later date.
Flames statement on Johnny Gaudreau’s death
Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL draft, and he played his first nine seasons with them.
‘It’s with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau. Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary.
‘It was our privilege to call Johnny our teammate for nine amazing years in Calgary. He came to Calgary as a young man and grew up here, not only as a superstar on the ice, but also a beloved member of our community. The pain we feel for Johnny’s wife Meredith, children Noa and Johnny, parents Jane and Guy, sisters Kristen and Katie, and the entire Gaudreau family is immense.
‘Ownership, management, players, and staff of the Calgary Flames express our heartfelt sympathies during their time of sorrow. You are in our thoughts and prayers.’
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman statement on Johnny Gaudreau’s death
‘The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.
‘Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons. A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favorite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited.
‘He will be remembered fondly in Calgary, where he played his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, emerging as one of our League’s brightest young stars while compiling the franchise’s fifth-highest career points total. His loss also will be felt profoundly in Columbus, the city in which he chose to settle his family and where he was one of the respected, veteran leaders of a club building toward the playoffs. And both Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston College, where they were teammates the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013-14, and at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where both played and where Matthew was the head hockey coach following his own five-year pro playing career.
‘We send our most heart-felt condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie. And we grieve alongside his teammates, members of the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, his many friends in hockey and countless fans around the world for whom he created indelible memories on and off the ice.’
The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, contributed to this report.