‘Drunk driver’ who ‘killed hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother’ sighs after learning he’ll be in jail for a week

THE man accused of drunkenly plowing his Jeep into hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, killing both, sighed after learning he’ll remain in jail until his next hearing.

Johnny, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were fatally run over on Thursday evening as they rode their bicycles through a New Jersey roadway.

New Jersey Courts

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New Jersey State Police said Sean M. Higgins, 43, was speeding down County Route 551, the same route the brothers were biking, and attempted to pass two slow-moving vehicles in front of him.

When Higgins passed the first sedan, he tried to reenter the lane when the SUV in front of him moved into the middle lane to pass the brothers’ bicycling.

In an attempt to speed beyond the SUV, Higgins tried to drive his Jeep Cherokee past the vehicle via the right side but struck the brothers from behind, killing them.

When police pulled Higgins over, they smelled a “strong odor” of alcohol coming from the SUV and noticed an open container inside, according to an arrest affidavit.

So… I’m here until Thursday?

Sean Higgins

Higgins told officers that he had “five or six beers” before the crash, according to police.

The suspected drunk driver, who failed a sobriety test, made his first appearance in court via video on Friday and let off a heavy sigh after learning he will remain in jail until his next hearing on September 5.

“So… I’m here until Thursday?” Higgins asked the judge.

The judge explained to Higgins that the law required him to be held for 72 hours before his next hearing, but the holding procedure would be extended because of the holiday weekend.

As the judge explains the procedure to Higgins, he closes his eyes, sits back in his chair, and lets off a heavy sigh, court video showed.

Higgins is facing two counts of vehicular homicide.

Reuters

FAMILY DESTROYED

Brothers Johnny and Matthew , who are natives of Carneys Point, New Jersey, about 33 miles south of Philadelphia , were killed a day before their sister Katie’s wedding.

The two were expected to serve as groomsmen at the wedding .

In an Instagram post, Katie shared a photo of her brothers and family members rehearsing for her wedding.

Katie’s ceremony was canceled in light of her brothers’ deaths , according to TMZ .

The Gaudreau family broke their silence hours after the tragic incident.

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans,” their father Jim Gaudreau said in a statement to CBS affiliate WBZ-TV .

“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.

“We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”

Photos obtained by CBS News showed flowers left by mourners at the crash site where Johnny and Matthew were killed.

NHL STAR’S CAREER CUT SHORT

Johnny Gaudreau was an NHL veteran, spending 11 seasons in the league after being drafted in 2011.

Gaudreau was in the second year of his $68.25 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Nicknamed Johnny Hockey, Gaudreau was among the high-profile stars in the league, netting 642 goals throughout his career in 644 regular season and playoff games.

He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2015, was a 7-time NHL All-Star, and made the league’s First All-Star Team in 2022.

Gaudreau was a father of two and husband to his wife, Meredith Gaudreau.

Johnny Gaudreau was a husband to his wife, Madeline Gaudreau, who was pregnant with the couple’s first baby, according to TMZ.

An online registry in the name of Madeline Gaudreau showed a due date of December 31, 2024.

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Full statment from Columbus Blue Jackets

“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.”