Who is Sean Higgins? Drunk driver accused of killing Gaudreau brothers identified as Army veteran
WOODSTOWN, NEW JERSEY: The man accused of killing NHL all-star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in a suspected drunk driving case is reportedly a US Army veteran.
Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, is a field artillery officer with the New Jersey Army National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters.
According to ABC News 6, Higgins is a part-time traditional drill status guardsman who was not on duty at the time of the incident.
Despite being off-duty, Higgins is suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the accident. He is facing two counts of death by auto and is currently in custody at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
Sean Higgins' professional background
Sean Higgins has been a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard since 2008. His LinkedIn profile details his extensive military career. He served as a major in the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Kosovo, where he was promoted during a state leadership visit to the former Yugoslavian Republic in 2019.
Higgins, who has two young daughters, thanked his family for their support throughout his military career during this promotion ceremony. In addition to his service, Higgins was employed at Gaudenzia, an addiction treatment center in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He reportedly held the position of director of financial operations since September.
“We received the heartbreaking news regarding the tragic crash that took the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, along with charges brought against Sean Higgins,” Gaudenzia said in a statement on Saturday.
“Mr Higgins, an employee of Gaudenzia, was immediately placed on leave. We extend our sympathies to the Gaudreau family during this incredibly difficult time."
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew, 29, were out for a bike ride on the eve of their sister’s wedding. The siblings were biking on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township around 8 pm when Higgins crashed into them from behind, allegedly intoxicated.
According to the New Jersey State Police, Higgins admitted that he was trying to pass two other vehicles when he struck the brothers. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The trooper who responded to the crash detected the smell of alcohol on Higgins' breath. Higgins allegedly admitted to having "five or six beers" before the accident. Consequently, he was arrested on two counts of vehicular homicide under suspicion of drunk driving.
He remains in custody, awaiting a detention hearing scheduled for September 5.
A neighbor of Higgins' parents described him as "just a regular guy." He told the New York Post, "The family, they are great people. It’s sad. It’s tragic, I would say."
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's deaths shock hockey community
The deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau have sent shockwaves across the hockey community and beyond. Both were star players at Boston College, where they were coached by the legendary Jerry York.
Johnny Gaudreau—known affectionately as "Johnny Hockey"—had a stellar career in the NHL. He played 11 seasons, scoring 243 goals, accumulating 743 points, and appearing in 763 games. He was also a seven-time All-Star.
Johnny's journey began with the Calgary Flames, where he spent his first nine seasons before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets. At the time of his death, he was preparing to start his third season with the Blue Jackets.
Devastated by the loss, the team offered a heartfelt tribute. “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend," they said.
Although less famous than his older brother, Matthew Gaudreau was also a talented hockey player with a promising career ahead of him.
Johnny Gaudreau’s widow Meredith shared a heartfelt tribute to her late husband on Instagram. “Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so, so much. You were perfect," she wrote.
