Driver Accused of Causing Crash That Killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Suspected of Being Under Influence of Alcohol: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

The man accused of causing the fatal crashthat killed Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player Johnny Gaudreauand his brother Matthew Gaudreau is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

On Thursday, Aug. 29 at 8:19 p.m. EST, NHL star Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, died after Sean M. Higgins — a 43-year-old male from Woodstown, New Jersey — struck the pair, who were on pedal bikes, in the rear while attempting to pass another car on County Route 551 North in Oldmans Township, Salem County, New Jersey State Police confirmed to PEOPLE.

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Richard T Gagnon/Getty

Police said, “Based on a preliminary investigation, two pedal cyclists, John M. Gaudreau, a 31-year-old male from Carneys Point, N.J., and Matthew R. Gaudreau, a 29-year-old male from Pedricktown, N.J., were traveling north on County Route 551, close to the fog line of the roadway.”

The statement confirmed the suspect had been traveling in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and SUV.

“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 cyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway,” police said.

“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,” the statement added.

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau from behind in a 2018 photo.Matty Gaudreau/instagram

Matty Gaudreau/instagram

Johnny and his brother Matthew were reportedly in their hometown in Salem County to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding on Friday, according to a wedding website.

The NHL star’s team, the Blue Jackets — who he signed a seven-year contract with in 2022 — confirmed the brothers' deaths in a statementshared to X(formerly known as Twitter) on Friday, Aug. 30.

Johnny Gaudreau.Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

The team shared, “The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago and Columbus welcomed him with open arms.”

“We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy. At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve,” the message concluded.

source: people.com