The alleged drunk driver accused of fatally mowing down NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother in New Jersey the night before their sister’s wedding is a decorated US Army officer, DailyMail.com can reveal.
Major Sean Higgins, 43, has been charged with two counts of death by auto after careening into the two brothers as they cycled along a highway in Salem County on Thursday night.
The fatal crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding, which has since been postponed, DailyMail.com has learned.
Higgins made a virtual appearance in Salem County Court on Friday where he was ordered to remain behind bars until his next hearing on September 5.
Major Sean Higgins, 43, has been charged with two counts of death by auto after fatally mowing down NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew in New Jersey on Thursday
The fatal crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Johnny, 31, (right) and Matthew, 29, (left) were to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie’s wedding
The father-of-two had served in the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Kosovo and was promoted to Major during a state leadership visit to the former Yugoslavian republic in 2019 when he credited his family for their support during his military career, DailyMail.com has learned.
He also served as the Regional Command-East Civil-Military Cooperation chief during the tour, though it is unclear if he is still currently enlisted in the US Army.
Higgins is based in Woodstown, New Jersey, where he is believed to live with his wife and their two young daughters.
The army officer was arrested in Oldmans Township near the state border with Delaware on Thursday night by New Jersey State Police, and admitted to drinking ‘five to six beers’ before getting behind the wheel in the horror smash which killed the Gaudreau brothers, cops said.
In his first hearing on Friday, he appeared via before Judge Michael Silvanio via video link, where he was seen dressed in a green prison vest with Velcro shoulders and bare arms, with a bandage on his wrist.
He was represented by a public defender, but told the judge he would retain his own attorney, before next appearing in Salem County Court on September 5.
The judge ordered him to remain in custody until then, extending the standard 72-hour holding period due to the holiday weekend.
The military man, who is facing two counts of second-degree vehicle manslaughter, was expressionless in the courtroom as he appeared virtually from the Salem County Correctional Facility.
In his first hearing on Friday, he appeared via before Judge Michael J. Silvanio via video link, where he was seen dressed in a green prison vest with Velcro shoulders
Higgins is accused of being intoxicated when he collided with Gaudreau and his brother
The father-of-two had served in the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a tour of Kosovo and was promoted to Major during a state leadership visit to the former Yugoslavian republic in 2019
Higgins is based in Woodstown, New Jersey, where he lives with his wife, Emily and their two young daughters
Court records in North Carolina show that Higgins had a prior DWI in 2005, where the charges voluntarily dismissed due to the officer involved not showing up in court.
He also had a speeding ticket in 2001 that was dismissed because of his good driving record at the time.
A US Army official did not immediately respond to request for comment, with Higgins family members refusing to comment when approached by DailyMail.com on Friday.
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.
Officers also allege that he showed signs of being drunk and admitted to drinking ‘prior to and while operating his vehicle’.
While reeking of alcohol, Higgins is said to have told them that ‘his consumption of alcoholic beverages contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.’
The Gaudreau brothers died the night before their sister Katie’s wedding, where they were expected to be groomsmen on the day.
In a heartbreaking statement on Friday, the devastated Gaudreau family paid tribute to the siblings.
‘Last night, we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau was tragically killed in a bike accident with his brother after being hit by an alleged drunk driver (Pictured: Gaudreau with wife Meredith and their two children)
Matthew (left) and Johnny (right) both plied their trade on the ice at Boston College
Sean Higgins lives in this home in Pilesgrove, New Jersey
‘We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.
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.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, New Jersey State Police Troopers confirmed they responded to a motor vehicle crash at 8:19pm on County Route 551 North, milepost 11.1 Oldmans Township, Salem County.
‘Based on a preliminary investigation, two pedalcyclists, John M. Gaudreau, a 31-year-old male from Carneys Point, N.J., and Matthew R. Gaudreau, a 29-year-old male from Pedricktown, N.J., were traveling north on County Route 551, close to the fog line of the roadway,’ the statement reads.
‘Sean M. Higgins, a 43-year-old male from Woodstown, N.J., was traveling north on CR 551 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 pedalcyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway.
