New details on man accused of killing Gaudreau brothers
OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, N.J. - FOX 29 has learned new information about 43-year-old Sean Higgins, the man accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau in a Salem County collision last week.
According to new details obtained by FOX 29, Higgins is a field artillery officer assigned to the New Jersey Army National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters.
He is a part-time traditional Drill Status Guardsman and was not on duty at the time of the incident.
Driver charged in death of Johnny Gaudreau, brother told police he had 5-6 beers: documents
Sean Higgins, 43, failed a field sobriety test and told police he had 5-6 beers prior to the crash that claimed the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, according to court documents.
Col Yvonne L. Mays, Acting Adjutant General of New Jersey, said they cannot comment on ongoing investigations, but gave the following statement: "We are profoundly saddened by this tragedy. Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and we share in the grief of the Gaudreau family."
Higgins also worked for a rehab facility called 'Gaudenzia'. The nonprofit identified him as an employee on Saturday, saying that he has been placed on leave following the deadly crash.
Meantime, a memorial continues to grow at the Hollydell Ice Arena in Washington Township for Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau—including a sea of hockey sticks, flowers, purple Gatorade and skittles.
Staff say the Gaudreau parents stopped by for several hours on Sunday.
Johnny Gaudreau's widow pays heartbreaking tribute to 'perfect' NHL star: 'You are my forever'
The widow of Johnny Gaudreau thanked her husband for the "best years of my life," calling him the "absolute best dad in the world" after the NHL star's life was tragically cut short in a crash last week.
Visitors say a moment of silence was held before the first game of the tournament this weekend and a slideshow of pictures was on display throughout the arena.
"It is tragic and I think Johnny Gaudreau and his brother weren’t that old, so I think kids, especially in this area, they know hi, because he’s part of the community," said Jared Zimmel, a parent of hockey player in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. "He’s just a very approachable person and he’s been, he’s always has a space in the community down here."
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help Matthew's widow, Madeline, in advance of the birth of the couple's first child, who they named Tripp.