The suspected drunk driver accused of fatally striking NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother in New Jersey the night before his 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 car accident after hitting the two brothers while they were riding their bikes on a road 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 due to be best men at 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 Sept. 5.
Major Sean Higgins, 43, has been charged with two counts of death by car accident after fatally striking NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew in New Jersey on Thursday.
The fatal crash occurred less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Johnny, 31 (right) and Matthew, 29 (left) were to serve as best men at 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 Yugoslav republic in 2019, when he thanked his family for their support during his military career, DailyMail.com has learned.
He also served as the chief of Civil-Military Cooperation for Regional Command-East during the tour, though it is unclear whether he is still currently enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Higgins is based in Woodstown, New Jersey, where he is believed to live with his wife and two young daughters.
Katie Gaudreau was scheduled to get married Friday at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
The Army officer was arrested in Oldmans Township, near the state line with Delaware, on Thursday night by New Jersey State Police, and admitted to drinking “five or six beers” before getting behind the wheel in the horrific crash that killed the Gaudreau brothers, troopers said.
At his first hearing on Friday, he appeared 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 hire his own attorney before appearing again in Salem County Court on Sept. 5.
The judge ordered him to remain in custody until then, extending the standard 72-hour detention period because of the holiday weekend.
The soldier, who faces two counts of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, remained expressionless in the courtroom as he appeared virtually from the Salem County Correctional Center.
At his first hearing on Friday, he appeared 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 drunk when he collided with Gaudreau and his brother.
The father of two had served in the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a tour in Kosovo and was promoted to major during a state leadership visit to the former Yugoslav 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 Higgins had a prior DWI in 2005, where the charges were voluntarily dismissed because the officer involved failed to appear in court.
He also had a speeding ticket in 2001 that was dismissed due to his good driving record at the time.
A US military official did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and members of the Higgins family declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com on Friday.
In documents seen by DailyMail.com, Higgins admitted to police he drank “5 or 6 beers” before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and rear-ending Johnny and Matthew on Thursday night.
Officers also allege he showed signs of being drunk and admitted to drinking “before and while operating his vehicle.”
While reeking of alcohol, Higgins is reported 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 best men that day.
In a heartbreaking statement on Friday, the devastated Gaudreau family paid tribute to the brothers.
‘Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons-in-law and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two relatives, two teammates, two friends, but truly two incredible human beings.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau was tragically killed in a bicycle accident with his brother after being hit by an alleged drunk driver (pictured: Gaudreau with his 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 house in Pilesgrove, New Jersey
‘We want everyone to know that we are receiving your messages of love and support and appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.
‘We ask that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time of grief.’
Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children: one-year-old daughter Noa and baby Johnny, who was born just six months ago.
Meredith is believed to have been set to be a bridesmaid at her sister-in-law’s wedding this weekend.
Meanwhile, Matthew leaves his wife Madeline just over three years after their wedding in New Jersey.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, New Jersey State Police troopers confirmed they responded to a single-vehicle crash at 8:19 p.m. on County Route 551 North, mile marker 11.1 Oldmans Township, Salem County.
‘According to a preliminary investigation, two bicyclists, John M. Gaudreau, a 31-year-old man from Carneys Point, New Jersey, and Matthew R. Gaudreau, a 29-year-old man from Pedricktown, New Jersey, were traveling northbound on County Route 551 near the fog line of the roadway,’ the statement read.
‘Sean M. Higgins, a 43-year-old man from Woodstown, NJ, was traveling northbound on CR 551 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and an SUV. Higgins attempted to pass the slower moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound travel lanes, passed the slower moving sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound travel lanes when the SUV in front of Higgins moved into the middle of the roadway, splitting the northbound and southbound lanes to safely pass the two bicyclists who were traveling northbound on the right side of the roadway.