During a virtual court appearance Friday, the alleged drunk driver who fatally struck NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother looked dejected when a judge told him he was going to be spending the weekend behind bars.
The Gaudreau brothers were pronounced dead at the scene after Sean Higgins drove his vehicle into them as they were riding their bikes in their native Salem County, N.J. Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and has been charged with two counts of death by auto.
According to the New York Post, Higgins was ordered to remain in custody until his next hearing on Sept. 5.
“So … I’m here until Thursday?” an exasperated Higgins asked Judge Michael J. Silvanio when he learned he would be held in jail over the long weekend.
New Jersey State Police said the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road in Oldmans Township on Thursday night when a man driving an SUV in the same direction attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press and TMZ Sports, Higgins told authorities he drank “5-6 beers” prior to the crash and admitted to consuming alcohol while driving.
“Through further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, charged with two counts of death by auto, and lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility. This crash remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available,” a statement obtained by PEOPLE said.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, known in the sports world as “Johnny Hockey,” played 10 seasons in the NHL and was on the verge of entering his third with the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a seven-year, $68 million deal in 2022. He played his first eight seasons with the Calgary Flames.
Cops allege Higgins slammed his Jeep Grand Cherokee into the backs of the Gaudreau brothers as they were biking the night before their sister’s wedding.
TMZ reported Higgins allegedly failed field sobriety tests and admitted to drinking “prior to and while operating his vehicle.” They also allege he “reeked of alcohol.”
Higgins also allegedly told officers “his consumption of alcoholic beverages contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.”
“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 pedal cyclists traveling north on the right side of the roadway,” police told PEOPLE.
“Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedal cyclists in the rear. As a result of the collision, the two pedal cyclists sustained fatal injuries.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Page Six reported that Katie Gaudreau and her fiance, Devin Joyce, called off their Friday wedding.
In a statement posted to X, the Blue Jackets said Gaudreau “played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice.”
“He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets,” the team wrote. “He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could.”
The Gaudreau family broke their silence Friday afternoon as they mourned the loss of “two amazing humans.”
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support, and we appreciated your continued thoughts and prayers,” an uncle, Jim Gaudreau, said in a statement on behalf of the families involved. “We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”
Outside the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, fans paid tribute to Gaudreau, who became a favourite during his eight seasons playing in the city.
“He was always a fun guy to be around, polite, respectful and kind, and would make sure the staff was taken care of,” Kris Morrey, who often served Gaudreau at the Home and Away Bar, told the Calgary Herald.
In one of his wife Meredith’s most recent social media posts, Gaudreau was seen smiling with his two children, daughter Noa, who was born in September 2022, and son Johnny, who was born in February.
“Last game of the season tonight. Love our guy so much,” Meredith captioned the pic.
Meanwhile, PEOPLE reported that Madeline Gaudreau, the wife of Matthew Gaudreau, who was a minor league hockey player, is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
A baby registry in Madeline and Matthew’s names lists a due date as Dec. 31, 2024.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Madeline and the baby.
“We are heartbroken to share the devastating news that the Gaudreau family has experienced a tragic and unfathomable loss. On August 29, 2024, a car accident took the lives of Matthew and his brother John,” the GoFundMe page says.
“Although no amount of money can ease the pain of loss, your support on any level will help take some of the financial weight off the Gaudreau family as they navigate this journey.“