New Jersey police have released dramatic bodycam footage of the nervous moments following the crash that killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew on August 29.
Sean Higgins, the 43-year-old alleged drunk driver who faces up to 20 years in prison over the tragedy, is undergoing sobriety tests after admitting to drinking earlier in the day.
“I drank beer,” Higgins told police before admitting he had “five or six” Miller Lites.
Ultimately, he would claim that he “hadn’t had one in two hours.”
Prosecutors have accused Higgins of being legally drunk when his vehicle collided with the Gaudreau brothers as they cycled along a country road in suburban Philadelphia. The father of two registered a blood alcohol level of 0.087 – slightly above the New Jersey state limit of 0.08. Higgins faces up to 20 years in prison after being charged with two counts of death by car accident.
The fatal accident happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding. The brothers, who played together at Boston College, have since been honored in Calgary and Columbus, where Johnny played professionally.
The footage, provided to ABC 6 in Philadelphia, shows Higgins struggling to follow instructions
A confused Higgins is seen asking ‘what happened?’ after he was handcuffed on August 29
The accident happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Johnny, 31, (right) and Matthew, 29, (left) were to serve as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding (center).
The newly released police video, provided to ABC6 from Philadelphiaincludes footage of a handcuffed Higgins being read his Miranda rights before asking, “Is everyone okay there?” What happened?’
Although he is still cooperating with police, Higgins appears nervous in the video, admitting at several points that he is “freaking out.”
He also alerts officers to recent knee surgery that could potentially affect his field sobriety tests.
“Does it affect you now?” you hear an officer ask.
“I’m (inaudible) nearby,” Higgins replied, apparently indicating he was limping.
“If you’re in pain, let me know,” the officer said.
Higgins has difficulty with some instructions and is heard asking the officers to repeat themselves.
A frustrated officer eventually tells Higgins to turn around and put your hands behind your back before handcuffing him.
Apparently confused, Higgins asked what happened, and an officer tells him they will talk about it at the station.
Prosecutors have accused Higgins of being legally drunk when his vehicle collided with the Gaudreau brothers as they cycled along a country road in suburban Philadelphia.
Maj. Sean Higgins, 43, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide after fatally shooting NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew in New Jersey
Higgins lives in Woodstown, New Jersey, where he is believed to live with his wife and their two young daughters.
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 Yugoslav republic in 2019, as he thanked his family for their support during his military career, DailyMail.com has learned .
He also served as head of Regional Command-East Civil-Military Cooperation during the tour, although it is unclear whether he is still currently serving in the U.S. military.
The Army Major is a field artillery officer assigned to the New Jersey Army National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, and works part-time as a traditional Drill Status Guardsman.
A New Jersey judge last month extended the period for prosecutors to file charges as Higgins remains in jail.
His attorney Matthew Portella called Higgins “a loving father of two daughters” who “made a terrible decision that night,” as quoted by ABC 6.
New Jersey state troopers have described the crash as occurring after Higgins attempted to pass two slower vehicles on Country Route 551 in Oldmans Township in Salem County.
Higgins is accused of being drunk when he collided with Gaudreau and his brother
“Based on a preliminary investigation, two bicyclists, John M. Gaudreau, a 31-year-old man from Carneys Point, NJ, and Matthew R. Gaudreau, a 29-year-old man from Pedricktown, NJ, were traveling north. County Route 551, close to the fog line of the roadway,” the statement read.
“Sean M. Higgins, a 43-year-old man from Woodstown, NJ, was driving 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, passed the slower-moving sedan and attempted to enter the northbound lanes again when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the center of the lane. roadway, splitting the northbound and southbound lanes to safely pass the two cyclists traveling north on the right side of the roadway.”
The Flames welcomed the Columbus Blue Jackets to Calgary, where hockey quickly became an afterthought as both teams honored Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
A former teammate of Johnny’s, Columbus’ Sean Monahan, was seen crying during a ceremonial puck drop before Tuesday’s game at the Scotiabank Saddledome, where players on both sides struggled to control their emotions.
The brothers’ family were also present at the ceremony, with Johnny’s widow Meredith holding one of their two children. She revealed in September that she is pregnant with their third.
“It was really fun,” a teary Meredith told Sportsnet ahead of Tuesday’s game, which Calgary won 3-0. ‘I really wanted everyone to see the kids. Everyone has been so warm, it feels like you’ve never been away when you’re here for a few days.’
“Some of the best fans in the world are here in Calgary,” the brothers’ father, Guy, told Sportsnet ahead of the “13 Forever” tribute, a nod to Johnny’s jersey number.
Tuesday marked the second time in the past two weeks that the two teams have faced off, and the first meeting in Calgary, where the forward known as “Johnny Hockey” became a beloved star and teammate for the Flames.