Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau & brother killed hours before sister’s wedding as ‘drunk driver’ Sean Higgins arrested
SEAN Higgins, 43, mugshot has been released just hours after he allegedly killed hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.
The 31-year-old winger and his brother were killed while biking in Oldmans Township, Salem County after allegedly being struck by Higgins Jeep Grand Cherokee.
“Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at 8:19 p.m. on County Route 551 North, milepost 11.1 Oldmans Township, Salem County,” the New Jersey Police Department told The U.S. Sun in a statement.
The pair were reportedly cycling north “close to the fog line of the roadway” when driver Higgins, 43, from Woodstown, New Jersey, was traveling north on the same road in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and SUV.
“Higgins attempted to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes of travel, passed the slower-moving sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes of travel when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the two pedal cyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway,” the cops said.
“Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedal cyclists in the rear. As a result of the collision, the two pedal cyclists sustained fatal injuries.
“Through further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, and lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility.
“This crash remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available.”
On Friday morning, the Columbus Blue Jackets shared a statement confirming the news.
“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.”
FAMILY HEARTBREAK
The two brothers were set to celebrate their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding in Philadelphia on Friday, The Columbus Dispatch. reported.
Both men were to be groomsmen and Johnny’s wife Meredith was to be maid-of-honor.
The bride-to-be excitedly posted a picture on her Instagram stories of a rehearsal ceremony on Thursday and shared a throwback post by a friend that said “T-1 day till she says I do.”
No comment has yet been made by the heartbroken family.
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.”
Earlier this year, Gaudreau and Meredith welcomed their second child, named Johnny after his father.
“Love you @johngaudreau03 – 2 under 2 life here we comeeee,” Meredith excitedly wrote in an Instagram post announcing the birth of their first son.
PAY TRIBUTE
Meanwhile, fans have posted tributes and prayers on Gaudreau’s Instagram page and under the team’s official statement.
“The hockey world will be hurting for a long time,” one wrote as others called the Blue Jackets star a “legend” of the sport.
“Wow this is gut-wrenching. Rest in peace Johnny and Matthew,” another wrote.
I’m just been sitting here sobbing.
Fan
On Gaudreau’s Instagram page, one fan commented saying, “You’re the reason I wear #13.”
“Way too early Johnny, you got some fight in ya, so sorry for family,” another said.
“I’m just been sitting here sobbing over Johnny Gaudreau,” a third added as they called the situation unfair.
Matthew, 29, was also an ice hockey player who was formerly with the Worcester Railers before he retired.
“My heart is destroyed,” a fan wrote under his latest Instagram post of his honeymoon in 2022.
The hockey star was two years into his seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets that he signed for $68.2 million.
He has been praised by Union and Blue for “producing offense entirely on his own” after a slow start to the season and for taking the lead for the team in terms of scoring with 18 points ahead of the next forward.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the New Jersey Police Department and the Blue Jackets for comment.