Following the deaths of her brothers, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew, 29, Katie Gaudreau has called off her wedding, which was scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The Gaudreau brothers are believed to have been riding their bikes on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding when the fatal crash occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. in Oldmans Township, Salem County, New Jersey.
The two were struck and killed by another vehicle, driven by Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter with no bail. The wedding cancellation was first reported by Page six.
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.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew tragically died on Thursday
Katie Gaudreau canceled her Friday wedding, less than a day after her brothers’ deaths
He and his brother Matthew are believed to have been killed on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding to her partner Devin Joyce (Pictured: Katie and Devin rehearsing for their wedding)
Higgins is accused of being drunk when he collided with Gaudreau and his brother.
The wedding ceremony between Katie and her fiancé, Kevin Joyce, is set to take place at St. Mary’s Parish – St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester starting at 1:45 p.m., according to the couple’s page on The Knot.
A black tie cocktail party and six-hour reception is scheduled for Friday night at The Lucy by Cescaphe in Philadelphia.
It is not known at this time when the wedding will be postponed.
Officers also allege Higgins showed signs of being intoxicated 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 were expected to be Katie’s best men.
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.