One Year After: Remembering NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau and His Brother as Court Case Continues
A year has passed since NHL sensation Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew died in a Salem County, New Jersey, accident. On the evening of August 29, 2024, the brothers were hit and killed while biking, shocking the hockey community and their family and village. As the bereaved family preserves their memory, Sean M. Higgins’ motor vehicle lawsuit remains in court with no conclusion.
Higgins, 44, of Pilesgrove was intoxicated when his SUV hit the Gaudreau brothers on Route 551 in Oldmans Township, according to prosecutors. The men were riding from their family home to visit a friend when disaster struck. Investigators say Higgins tried an unlawful pass on the right side of the road, partially leaving the pavement before hitting Johnny and Matthew, who were riding single-file on the fog line. Later, witnesses called Higgins’ driving unsafe and erratic.
Emergency calls showed the brothers were breathing after the incident, but paramedics found them dead. Higgins’ damaged car stalled a quarter mile from the incident site. He allegedly failed a sobriety test, drank several beers before the crash, and tried to hide beer cans afterward. Prosecutors say his faulty judgment caused the death.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter, reckless vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal crash, and evidence tampering after his arrest. A conviction could land him in prison for 70 years. A plea offer that would have jailed Higgins to 35 years was rejected, forcing the case to proceed through lengthy judicial fights. Attorneys have moved to dismiss charges or omit evidence, including his remarks to investigators and SUV data. Judges have denied similar pleas, determining that the evidence was legal. The next important hearing is September 18, when the court will decide if his police testimonies are admissible.
The Gaudreau family has tried to cope with their sadness during the court procedure. The accident occurred while Johnny and Matthew’s spouses were pregnant, and the family has since had further children. Madeline Gaudreau had Tripp Matthew in December, and Meredith had Carter Michael in April. These offspring carry their fathers’ names and memories.
In order to honor the brothers, the family founded the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation this year. The charity helps youth hockey programs, families affected by tragedy, and drunk driving victims. They also held the first Gaudreau Family 5K Run, Walk & Family Fun Day at Washington Lake Park. The family turned sadness into community support by raising money for a Westville adaptable playground.
In remembrance of the brothers, the Gaudreau family has commemorated personal milestones. The catastrophe delayed their sister Katie’s wedding, but she married in Philadelphia this summer. These bittersweet times tell the family that loss has changed them but they will move forward.
Johnny Gaudreau, an NHL player for 11 seasons, created a legacy beyond his hockey skills. Matthew, a college player and coach, shared the same love of the game and family. Fans and teammates in South Jersey and around the hockey world mourn their tragic losses.
As the court date approaches, the Gaudreau family and supporters await Johnny and Matthew’s justice. Without a doubt, their names will be remembered for their passion of hockey and how their family turned unspeakable pain into lasting impact.
Sources
NJ Advance Media
Associated Press
New Jersey State Police Reports
Salem County Court Filings
