Lucy Devine
An alleged drunk driver who killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew told police he'd had 'five or six beers' at the time of the incident.
On Thursday (29 August), 31-year-old National Hockey League (NHL) star Johnny and his 29-year-old brother Matthew were riding their bicycles in Oldmans Township, Salem County, New Jersey, when they were struck by a car and killed, New Jersey State Police confirmed.
Police told CBS News Philadelphia the pair had been riding their bikes along County Route 551 at around 8pm when they were struck by a man driving a Jeep.
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The driver - Sean M Higgins - was reportedly trying to overtake a vehicle. He has been arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, PEOPLE reports.
The brothers are believed to have passed away just days before their sister's wedding, which was set to take place on Friday (August 30) where they were meant to be taking on the role of groomsmen.
According to a complaint obtained by The Post, the officer who arrived on the scene detected a 'strong odor of alcohol' on Higgins.
He allegedly told police he had had 'five to six beers' before the incident.
In a statement, New Jersey State Police, told UNILAD: "Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash at 8:19 p.m. on County Route 551 North, milepost 11.1 Oldmans Township, Salem County.
"Based on a preliminary investigation, two pedalcyclists, 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.
"Sean M. Higgins, a 43-year-old male from Woodstown, N.J., was traveling north on CR 551 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 pedalcyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway."
The police explained that Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right, before colliding with the cyclists.
Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedalcyclists in the rear," the statement continued. "As a result of the collision, the two pedalcyclists sustained fatal injuries.
"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."
Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith, and the pair have two children, one-year-old Noa and six-month-old Johnny. Matthew's wife is called Madeline.
In a statement, the brothers' uncle Jim Gaudreau told WBZ-TV reporter Dan Roche: "Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans.
"We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.