NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and younger brother Matthew were tragically killed in a bicycle accident on Thursday night after being hit by an alleged drunk driver.
The driver – 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, New Jersey – is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fatal crash in Salem County, Oldmans Township.
In documents seen by DailyMail.com, Higgins admitted to cops that he drank ‘5-6 beers’ before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and crashing into the back of Johnny and Matthew on Thursday night.
On Friday, police released a photo of him looking glassy-eyed in his mugshot after he was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide with no bail or bond.
Sean M. Higgins, 43, is accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew after driving under the influence of alcohol
Johnny (right), 31, and Matthew (left), 29, were struck and killed by Higgins’ vehicle while out cycling together on the eve of their sister’s wedding
Higgins is accused of being intoxicated when he collided with Gaudreau and his brother
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were struck and killed by Higgins’ vehicle on Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane, according to details from local news station 6 ABC, while out cycling together on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.
The brothers were expected to be groomsmen for Katie when she marries partner Devin Joyce on Friday.
Johnny leaves behind wife Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children in one-year-old daughter Noa and baby boy Johnny, who was born just six months ago.
It is believed Meredith was due to be a maid of honor at her sister-in-law’s wedding this weekend.
Matthew, meanwhile, leaves behind wife Madeline just over three years on from their wedding in New Jersey.
Johnny was an NHL veteran who played 11 professional seasons in the league and was about to enter his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets this year.
He played his first nine with the Calgary Flames, a tenure that included becoming one of the sport’s top players and a fan favorite across North America.
Matthew was a professional hockey player in the ECHL, most recently playing for the Worcester Railers in the 2021-22 season. He also spent a season with the Reading Royals.
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