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From the New York Post: The alleged drunk driver who struck and killed Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother in southern New Jersey on the eve of their sister’s wedding appeared glassy-eyed in a new mugshot — as it was revealed that he allegedly told cops that he had “five or six drinks” before the deadly crash.
Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, was charged with two counts of death by auto in connection with the devastating crash that killed Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, Thursday evening.
The brothers were biking near the side of County Route 551 in Oldmans Township when they were hit around 8 p.m.
While traveling north in a Jeep Grand Cherokee Thursday night, Higgins was reportedly trying to pass multiple vehicles when he moved to pass a vehicle on the right and struck the bicycling brothers from behind, killing them both.
A trooper who responded to the accident said he detected a “strong odor of alcohol” on Higgins’ breath, and Higgins failed a field sobriety test.
Sean Higgins tried to pass a car on the left, got mad when the next SUV tried to block him from merging in, tried to pass it on the right, and hit their bikes. 5 to 6 beers is undoubtedly a lie. I am *seething* watching him sigh like that because the judge won’t let him go home https://t.co/3qfU5NXjKq pic.twitter.com/PC8byhpJ7v
— Chris OIIey (@chrisoIIey) August 30, 2024
Higgins, a decorated US Army officer and father-of-two, appeared irritated in court on Friday when the judge informed him he had to remain in jail until Thursday.
NEW: Sean Higgins, the alleged drunk driver who k*lled NHL star Johnny Gaudreau & his brother on Thursday, lets out an irritated sigh after he is told he’d be spending the weekend in jail.
What a POS.
Johnny and his brother Matthew were k*lled just hours before their sister’s… pic.twitter.com/AdEuX5dcLY
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 30, 2024
The two brothers were supposed to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding on Friday. Her marriage to hockey player Devin Joyce has now been postponed since the tragic crash. It was supposed to be held on Friday at 1:45 pm.
Johnny Gaudreau leaves behind his wife Meredith, and two children Noa, 1, and Johnny, 6 months.
Matthew Gaudreau leaves behind his wife, Madeline, who is expecting their first baby in December.
The brothers are also survived by their parents, Guy and Jane, and another sister Kristen.
Johnny’s wife Meredith released two heart-wrenching tributes to her husband on Instagram Saturday morning, along with multiple photos of their family.
In the first post, she wrote, “Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”
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In a second post, Meredith wrote, “The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy.”
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Below is a photo of the two brothers, their two sisters, Katie, on left and Kristen, on right, and their parents from 2021.
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Another photo, also from 2021, shows the two brothers, with their sister Katie between them and sister Kristen on the left.
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