Driver Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash That Killed Gaudreau Brothers
New Jersey Police Release Footage, Reports in Gaudreau Brothers’ Deaths
New Jersey State Police released body camera footage, 911 calls, and other documents on Friday evening regarding the deaths of professional hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. The brothers tragically lost their lives while bicycling in Oldmans Township on August 29, just one day before they were set to serve as groomsmen in their sister’s wedding in Philadelphia.
The Incident
On the evening of August 29, Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were cycling near a rural intersection when they were struck by a vehicle. The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, allegedly passed a sedan on the left, attempted to overtake an SUV, and ultimately struck the Gaudreau brothers, who were riding on the shoulder. After hitting the cyclists, Higgins continued driving approximately 1,500 feet before stopping.
Matthew Gaudreau, who was riding behind his brother, was struck first. The crash occurred at around 8:19 p.m., and the area was reportedly very dark with no street lighting.
Higgins’ Arrest and Charges
Higgins, a self-employed substance abuse counselor from Woodstown, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto. According to police, Higgins admitted to having consumed six beers since noon, but stated that he had not drunk any alcohol for two hours before the crash. A subsequent blood test showed his blood alcohol content was 0.087%, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%.
Body camera footage of Higgins’ arrest shows him smoking a cigarette before being told by officers to put it out. During questioning, Higgins was visibly distressed and said, “I’m freaked out” multiple times. After being handcuffed, he asked, “Is everybody OK back there? I mean, what happened?” A police officer told him they would discuss the incident at the station.
Investigation Details
The police bodycam footage and crash reports provide new insights into the incident, although some records have been redacted to protect the privacy of witnesses. A judge had granted a protection order prohibiting the release of identifying information of certain witnesses, including three Jane Doe witnesses.
One of the 911 callers, a young woman, was a witness to the crash and reported that Higgins had fled the scene. The dispatcher’s exchange with her reveals how dark it was and the difficulty she had in identifying the location of the crash. She was also unable to provide further details about the victims’ conditions, as that part of the call was redacted.
Family’s Request and Legal Proceedings
The Gaudreau family had initially asked the court to prevent the release of the records, but a judge allowed them to be made public. Despite this, police and the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office have indicated that they are unlikely to release all records related to the investigation.
Higgins’ legal proceedings continue, with the upcoming court appearances likely to shed more light on the tragic event that claimed the lives of two beloved brothers.